The West and Its Illusions Revealed：Schulze's Meditations at Moments of Historical Rupture

Against the background of historical and institutional changes，confronting relationships among the individual，society，institutions，history and the future，renowned contemporary German writer Ingo Schulze incorporates the historical dimension of the GDR，the reunification of Germany and the reality of the new Federal Republic of Germany into his literary vision. By sketching everyday social life in particular，the writer embodies in literature people’s thoughts，feelings and behaviors during and after the historical upheavals in the society of the GDR，thus revealing a deep insight into the history of German social life and politics in the GDR，eastern Germany and the rather comprehensive history of German society that extends therefrom. By creating everyday fictional realities，he depicts the penetration of Western capitalism into the East and the aspirations and longings of some people in the Eastern world for the West. In terms of how the West came to the East，the escape/departure from the West，and how the West has become an actual problem in the West，the author shows in detail and in depth the economic，emotional dimensions and the gestures of value choices in daily life，and the essential fantasies that are embodied in the pursuits of happiness and a better life. The author discusses the fundamental problems of the West in the context of a reflection on the East， paradigmatically revealing the tragedy of the Western imagination. In the meantime， he illustrates，in a nonfictional expression and from the perspective of economic logic，the torn and deviant development of social life in the Federal Republic of Germany，and thus calls into question the values of democracy，liberty，equality，and justice that the West，especially in the transition period and afterwards，is still claiming to promote in current circumstances.