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Discussion questions: Kein Job für eine Lady
Note: These questions are from the CD-ROM “Support materials HSC 2009‑2013: German Stage 6 Extension”, produced by the NSW Department of Education and Training and the Association of Independent Schools of NSW Ltd.
Lines 1‑36
Das war wieder einmal…den Zwischenfall bereits vergessen.
- Why does the narrator describe her father and men like him as Reinste Neandertaler?
- What impression do we have of the narrator by the end of Paragraph 3?
Which language features have contributed to this impression? - How does the language used by the narrator in Paragraph 3 reflect her frame of mind as she leaves the house to go to work?
- Find examples of exaggeration in the story so far. What purpose do they serve?
- Comment on the use of the following vocabulary in Paragraph 4:
- Ein Schneesturm tobte wie auf Scotts letzter Fahrt.
- Die Flocken hieben wie kleine Schrotgeschosse aus allen Richtungen auf mich ein.
- …, dass ich in einen anderen Schirmträger hineinknallte.
- Comment on the change of mood in Paragraph 4. When does it happen? How is it achieved?
- How does the narrator’s reaction to the collision with the man differ from the man’s reaction?
- What image is created in the reader’s mind of the man, both from the description given of him and the words he uses? (lines 23‑30)
- How does the narrator ensure that the reader will not forget her encounter with the man in the street?
Lines 37‑59
„Was darf’s sein, Baby?“…und zahlte an der Kasse.
- What kind of establishment is “Woody’s Snack”? How do you know this?
- How is the narrator’s mood conveyed at this stage in the story? (lines 37‑44)
- To what extent does the narrator’s personality fit with the expectations suggested by the title, at this point in the story? (line 44)
- Comment on the impact made by the contrast between so ein liebes Mädel wie du and the narrator’s reaction? (lines 49‑59)
- Why do you think ERFOLGE is written in capital letters?
- Why do you think the bartender is described as having ein freundliches Mondgesicht?
- Comment on the following two sentences: Geladen, wie ich war, hatte ich große Lust, mitten in Dr. Freuds freundliches Mondgesicht hineinzuschlagen. Stattdessen fischte ich mir mein Sandwich vom Teller und zahlte an der Kasse.
Lines 60‑89
Kauend ließ ich…und stolzierte davon.
- What impact does the following have on the reader?
Sofort überlief mich das bekannte angenehme Kribbeln, so als wenn man in ein prickelndes Schaumbad eintaucht. - How is an exotic impression created of the ground floor of Robinson’s?
- Describe the effect created by the following sentence: Die Modeschmuckstände glitzerten aus der Ferne wie überladene Weihnachtsbäume und zogen mich magisch an. (lines 70‑73)
- Comment on the narrator’s mood when she reaches the first floor. How does this contrast with earlier on? What has caused this change?
- Comment on the interaction between the narrator and the sales assistant.
Lines 90‑109
Ich nahm die Rolltreppe…kein Platz mehr gewesen.
- Comment on the portrayal of the shop assistant in the glove department. How is this conveyed effectively to the reader?
- Why does the narrator describe herself as zufrieden grinsend, as she leaves this part of the store?
- Comment on the use of humour in lines 90‑109.
Lines 110‑146
Trotz des miesen Wetters…seinen Hut hob.
- Why are the conditions in the department store at this time optimal for shoplifting?
- How is the confidence of the narrator conveyed in lines 110‑120?
- What impression is the reader given of the security guards?
- How does the author portray the secondary characters, e.g. the saleswomen, the guard?
- The narrator uses words such as gesalzen (to describe the prices) and eine ganze Meute (when speaking of the security guards). What other examples of this type of language can you find in the story? Why has the author chosen it instead of more conventional language? What impact does this choice of language have on the reader?
- The section defined by lines 141‑146 is significant in this story. Why?
Lines 147‑174
„Ja, bitte“, stotterte ich…Was meinte er mit „helfen“?
- Discuss the rising tension in the story at this point. How is the reader’s interest engaged and the suspense maintained?
- How are language features used effectively by the author to convey the atmosphere at this point? Consider how the impact might have been different if other language had been used.
- Discuss the language used by the narrator in this section. Is it consistent with the language used by her up to this point?
- Comment on the visual picture conveyed by the author in this scene. (Consider also the economy of words and the skill required to convey a graphic image to the reader.)
Lines 175‑215
„Sie sind ein ausgesprochen…meine Polizeimarke unter die Nase.
- Consider the language used by der Graumelierte in lines 175‑178 and lines 181‑185. What impression does this create?
- How do the actions/reactions of the narrator confirm the man’s belief that she is a shop-lifter?
- To what extent is the author also able to maintain the reader’s belief that the narrator is a thief? Which devices are used to achieve this? Comment on the line: Ich war beeindruckt, und er wusste es.
- Comment on the setting out of lines 202‑213, in contrast with lines 214‑217. Identify where the climax of the story occurs. Where does the resolution begin?
Lines 216‑230
„Eine Polizistin!“…rief den Sicherheitschef herbei.
- Why does the narrator refer to meine Show in line 220?
- Comment on the change of language and demeanour employed by both characters in this section. Is this change unsettling for the reader, or does it complete the characterisation?
- Why do you think the line Es juckte mich gewaltig, ihn mit einem Judogriff aufs Kreuz zu legen has been included?
- How does the last section echo the beginning of the story? Why do you think the author has tied the end to the beginning in this way?
- Comment on the title, in light of the story as a whole.
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