Peinlichkeit und Pirouetten. Leibesübungen in Kindheit und Jugend erzählenden Texten

This article follows the theoretical implications of Body Studies and examines bodies in the context of the staging of physical education and physical training in narrative texts about childhood and adolescence or children’s and youth literature (Cf. Winter 2003; Gugutzer 2006b). Starting with Rilke’s story “Die Turnstunde” (1902), restrictive and disciplining body practices and attitudes will be demonstrated in this text, which can be named as exemplary for the 19th and early 20th century. Two current children’s literary texts will be presented: Davide Calì’s picture book Wanda Walfisch dick und rund (Whale Wanda fat and round) with illustrations by Sonja Bougaevas (2010) and Anna Gavalda’s children’s novel 35 Kilo Hoffnung [35 Kilos of Hope] (2004). Using the example of the graphic novel Pirouetten (2018) by Tillie Walden, categories such as the “Körpereigensinn” [sense of the body’s own] (Gugutzer 2006b) also become recognizable, which appear as subversive and resistant attitudes and body formations.