Forms of Communication Used by the Schizophrenic März in Heinar Kipphardt’s Eponymous Novel

With his montage novel März (1976), Kipphardt succeeded in directing public attention to the complex problems of the mentally ill and in subjecting the inadequate institutional system and the various treatment methods to sharp criticism. Occasioned by the 100th anniversary of the author’s birth, this paper focuses on the different forms of communication used by the schizophrenic character März, ranging from silence in human relationships to criticism of society and psychiatry in the form of artistic expression. Moreover, the article dwells upon the development of the protagonist, who, under the influence of Dr. Kofler, gives up his silence to turn again to verbal communication, and even becomes capable of starting a love relationship.