Der Mythos der Erlöserin in Otfried Preußlers Krabat

The reception of Otfried Preußler's 1971 classic for young readers, Krabat, has fluctuated between criticism of its reactionary escapism and praise for its anti-authoritarian parable on totalitarianism.However, both of these perspectives have so far only marginally explored the underlying depiction of women in the novel.The character of Kantorka primarily draws on motifs from literary history, such as the pure virgin and the sacrificial woman, as it is she who ultimately redeems the hero, Krabat, with her love and frees him from the Black Mill, despite her extensive passivity and lack of agency.In light of the clear division of gender roles and the affirmation of patriarchal order, the novel proves neither modern nor emancipatory.Instead, the celebration of the rebellious hero conceals the persistence of traditional gender stereotypes that relegate women to roles of sacrifice and devotion.