Flucht in die Freiheit

Two novels, two protagonists both "escape" from their (everyday) lives, partly voluntarily, partly forced to do so by circumstances, and attempt a new beginning by freeing themselves from the "role" they are used to playing. Since this is about men and their search for identity, a deeper examination of the principle of the construction of (male) identity and the question of the current cultural studies discourse on identity arises. Thereby the question will be answered, what is the actual meaning of the almost inflationary used term "identity". Furthermore, the terms "self-perception" and "masculinity" will be described in more detail. The definition of the basic terms identity and self-perception is mainly done with reference to theses of Hannah Arendt, Paul Ricoeur and Emmanuel Levinas.