PASSIVE VOICE. In most instances Xxxxxx readily identifies the agent in his sentences, but sometimes Xxxxxx chooses to use the passive voice instead, leaving the agent undesignated. Although Xxxxxx uses the passive form rarely, these instances highlight further the confusion surrounding who is to blame for his treatment in prison and during his kidnapping. For Xxxxxx one of the worst things about being in Hohenschönhausen is the psychological methods used by the Stasi to make the prisoners feel completely without hope. Interestingly, when describing their actions with regard to these methods, Xxxxxx does not name the Stasi or the guards as the actor, but rather chooses to use the passive: “Die unvermeidliche Folge dieser scheinbar geringfügigen und nicht einmal xxxxxx Signale war, daß den Häftlingen, vor allem jedem Einzelhäftling, unablässig die eigene ‘ausweglose’ Situation in Erinnerung gebracht wurde.” (p. 169) Xxxxxx states that the prisoners are reminded of the direness of their situations, but Xxxxxx does not clarify who does this reminding. Most striking is Xxxxxx’x use of the passive in the last two sentences of his final paragraph: “Nach 455 Tagen Untersuchungshaft in Hohenschönhausen, zugebracht in einer fensterlosen Kellerzelle, wurde ich unvermittelt in das Gefängnis Xxxxxx- Xxxxxxxxxxx übergeführt, in Stahlschellen gefesselt, nebenbei bemerkt. Dort wurden mir eine Woche später eine Anklageschrift und ein Beschluß des Obersten Gerichts über die Eröffnung des Hauptverfahrens ausgehändigt.” (p. 172) Xxxxxx does not name who transported him, who placed him in handcuffs, or who handed him over to freedom. It is obvious that the Stasi did all of these things, but Xxxxxx does not name the Stasi or any individual member of the Stasi as an actor in these sentences.
PASSIVE VOICE. Because Xxxxxxx gives names to many of her guards or handlers, very little of her narrative is written in the passive form. Because Xxxxxxx rarely uses the narrative, the instances in which she does are worth highlighting. The majority of her use of passive occurs with regard to actions taken against her by the guards. Insteading of naming guards in these interactions, Xxxxxxx uses the passive to focus on the action itself. For example she writes, “und als ich aus unbekannten Xxxxxxx für ein paar Tage in eine große, xxxxx Xxxxx verlegt wurde….” (p. 135). This sentence does not say that the guards or the Stasi moved her to the new cell, but rather simply that she was moved. Another similar example describes Xxxxxxx’x movement to a new prison, “Als ich damals in die Schumannstraße gebracht wurde…” (p. 133). Although it is likely that Xxxxxxx does not know the names of the individuals that brought her to the prison, she chooses not to name them by their association with the Stasi. Another example of the use of passive occurs in her discussion of her interrogations. After each interrogation Xxxxxxx was forced to sign a statement or summary of the session. She describes this process, “Was während der Nacht geschrieben wurde, mußte von mir unterzeichnet werden” (p. 139). Instead of naming her typist, the person encouraging her to give up on her beliefs and reveal her supposed “criminal activity”, she uses the passive voice. Besides this, Xxxxxxx uses the passive voice when relating a conversation she has with one of the other guards. It is once again in connection with the history of some of the guards being survivors of the Nazi prison system. Xxxxxxx relates her conversation with Brille, one of the “old” guards. Brille tells her “Die Arbeit muß gemacht werden […] und wir xxxxxx sie xxxxxx selbst” (p. 133). By using the passive here it implies that someone must do the unsavory work of overseeing the prisons. Brille implies that it is better that individuals like him oversee what happens in the prisons. Other, more hardhearted individuals without personal experience behind bars could potentially control the system and make the experience much worse. Finally, one of the more horrifying stories that Xxxxxxx shares within her recount is about one of her fellow inmates. Every night one of the women housed in a cell near Xxxxxxx’x suffered from fits of rage. She shouted uncontrollably and stomped about her cell singing Schiller’s “Ode to Joy” at full volume. Eventual...
PASSIVE VOICE. In these cases, the following verb is typically in be + past participle form. • The Principal insisted that the dossier be presented by Xxxx. • My mother commanded that the gifts be taken away at once.
