Law in Literature Course Overview

A literary analysis course focusing on how legal concepts and systems are portrayed and discussed in literature.

A poem exploring themes of death and displacement, using a musical fugue structure.

Examining a text for its meaning and themes, identifying literary devices and techniques.

A musical form with multiple voices interwoven to create a complex texture.

A famous opening line of Celan's poem, describing dark, early morning milk.

Words or phrases that describe time, such as "abends" (in the evening).

Words or phrases describing location or space, within poetry.

The evaluation method for the Law in Literature course, comprised of continuous assessments (30%) and a final essay (70%).

'Meister' (master) suggests a powerful, controlling force of death, implying death is dominant and skillful.

It emphasizes death's agency and competence, creating a chilling and authoritative atmosphere.

The final lines in the poem convey intense suffering, loss, and an enduring mark on history.

The order is significant. It emphasizes a particular pain and the loss of two specific individuals.

It builds tension and emphasizes crucial events, reflecting the repetitiveness of suffering.

The repetition in the poem mirrors the intertwined melodies characteristic of fugal music.

The accused person in a legal case.

Germany's highest court, deciding constitutional law.

The German Aviation Security Law, which governs how to deal with hijacked planes and potential terrorism.

The German Constitutional Court, the supreme court in Germany that safeguards constitutional rights.

Lars Koch's decision to shoot down a hijacked plane to prevent a potential terrorist attack.

The defence lawyer argued that Koch's decision was justified, emphasizing potential harm to others and limited constitutional principles in exceptional circumstances.

Franziska Meiser, whose husband died in the plane crash, asked if other options were explored before shooting down the plane.

A hypothetical ethical scenario where a person is forced to choose between two outcomes, one potentially causing more harm than the other.

The public prosecutor argued against Koch's decision, emphasizing the importance of upholding human rights even in extreme situations, and the potential for other solutions. They also highlighted the ethical dilemma and the Trolley Cart Problem as a relevant comparison.

Franziska Meiser's question about alternative options was important because it raised the debate on proportionality and the ethical considerations of shooting down a hijacked plane with potential passengers onboard.

The public prosecutor argues that law and morality should be strictly separated. This implies that legal decisions should be made based on the letter of the law, rather than on ethical considerations.

This article of the German Basic Law states that human dignity is inviolable. This means that every person has inherent value and worth, regardless of their actions.

The public prosecutor argues that respecting human dignity is crucial for the survival of a free society, especially during times of terror. She believes that adhering to legal principles, even in challenging situations, is essential.

The defence lawyer argues that sometimes, it's necessary to choose the 'lesser evil' to minimize harm. He brings up examples like shooting down a hijacked plane to prevent many deaths.

The text explores the ethical dilemma of whether it's justifiable to kill a few people to save many others (e.g., the trolley cart problem).

This famous case involved sailors who resorted to cannibalism to survive a shipwreck. The case is relevant to the Lars Koch trial because it raises similar questions about the ethical boundaries of survival.

Lars Koch was convicted primarily because the court determined that there was no imminent threat justifying his actions. The court also emphasized the importance of respecting human dignity.

The potential acquittal of Lars Koch was partially based on arguments about the 'lesser evil' principle. However, the court ultimately emphasized the importance of legal principles and not simply the number of lives saved.

In Kafka's 'Before the Law', the man ages and dies while the doorman remains unchanged. This contrast highlights the futility of the man's pursuit of justice and the law's impassive nature.

As the man dies, he sees a 'glow' emanating from the law's door. This represents the unattainable allure and promise of justice, alluring yet ultimately out of reach.

The doorman tells the dying man, "No one else could ever be admitted here, since this gate was made only for you." This suggests the man's entire life was consumed by the unattainable pursuit of justice, leaving him with nothing but a personal, individual experience.

The Law in 'Before the Law' is portrayed as an unyielding, impenetrable, and ultimately uncaring force. It is inaccessible, indifferent to the man's plight, and exists only as a symbolic barrier.

Kafka's story reveals the legal system's stark and unforgiving nature, focusing on the man's hopeless pursuit of justice and his ultimate failure. It highlights the system's potential for creating isolation and despair, rather than providing meaningful access to justice.

The main theme is access to justice and the complexities of the legal system. It explores the idea that justice might be elusive and unattainable, even when desperately sought after.

The doorman acts as a gatekeeper to the Law, representing an obstacle to accessing justice. He symbolizes authority and the power to control access.

The man becomes increasingly desperate and desperate to get in, his initial determination slowly fading into resignation. He loses hope and accepts his place outside the Law.

The final line states that the doorman "was really intended for this man alone, and now he's going to shut it." It suggests that the man's entire life was a futile attempt to reach the Law, and he was ultimately meant to remain outside.

This quote translates to "The Law shall be accessible to everyone, always." It emphasizes the idea of justice being accessible to all, but in the story, this proves to be an illusion.

Time is depicted as a long, relentless journey for the man. It emphasizes the futility of his pursuit and the slow deterioration of his hope.

The story presents a legal system that is inaccessible, confusing, and ultimately uncaring for the individual. It criticizes the potential for injustice in systems that are not transparent or fair.

The story suggests that access to justice might be a myth, and individuals can be trapped in a system that seems unattainable. It warns against blind faith in institutions and encourages critical thinking about the nature of law.