Discourse Analysis Sample Clauses

Discourse Analysis i. Themes Out of the 176 sentences or phrases in Xxxxxxx’x recount 35 of them begin with some sort of temporal phrase. Xxxxxxx is very precise about describing exactly how long any activity in Hohenschönhausen lasted or exactly when it occurred during his imprisonment. For example immediately after his arrest he writes, “Nach zirka einenhalb Stunden hielten wir an” (p. 154). This attention to detail with respect to time is interesting because one could imagine that for most of the individuals included in Gefangen in Hohenschönhausen the amount of fear and anxiety in the first few days of imprisonment makes everything blurry, especially the passing of time. Xxxxxxx is even so precise as to be able to describe exactly when he was moved to different rooms within the prison, “Nach einer Stunde Wartezeit wurde ich herausgeholt und durch zwei Türen und Treppe nach unten in einen langen Gang geführt” (p. 155). Xxxxxxx’x precision continues into his description of the first day, “Morgens um 6 Uhr rasselten die Schlüssel in den Zellenschlössern; in dem Kellergewölbe ein Höllenlärm, also Wecken. Für drei Minuten wurde eine Schüssel mit Xxxxxx zum Waschen reingereicht” (p. 156). Xxxxxxx thematizes the time, “Morgens um 6 Uhr” and “Für drei Minuten” instead of the actual subjects of the sentences. Besides detailing simple activities like washing, Xxxxxxx also uses time to introduce events especially significant to his life in prison. For example he writes, “Erst nach 14 Tagen wurde ich nachts zur ersten Vernehmung geholt” (p. 157). Xxxxxxx tells the reader that he is nervous about this interrogation, but instead of thematizing the interrogation Xxxxxxx uses “Erst nach 14 Tagen” as the theme of the sentence. Xxxxxxx also does this when describing the day one of his cellmates is removed, “Nach acht Tagen wurde Xxxxxxx aus der Zelle geholt” (p. 157). The attention to detail with respect to time shows the precision with which Xxxxxxx recalled these events, especially since they were most likely painful. Finally, Xxxxxxx uses temporal phrases to emphasize the boredom he felt in prison. He writes, “In all den Monaten wurden diese Fragen und ähnliche gestellt…Immer wieder wurden mir die Lügen vorgehalten. Tag für Tag, Nacht für Nacht…” (p. 159). He repeats this wordage, “Tag und Nacht in diesem Grab. Tag und Nacht nur die Glühbirne, keine Nachricht von den Familienangehörigen, also lebendig begraben” (p. 158). For Xxxxxxx his days in Hohenschönhausen were a monotonous blend ...