Date of Award
Spring 6-15-2025
Document Type
Thesis (Master's)
Department or Program
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
First Advisor
Thomas Zoellner, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Eugenie Carabatsos
Third Advisor
Saul Lelchuk
Abstract
This tale of forbidden love is a historical fiction narrative inspired by the true crime reporting of Günter Litfin (1937-1961). Litfin was the first person shot by the border patrol attempting to flee East Berlin eleven days after the erection of the Berlin Wall began. The day Litfin tried to escape was the first day the guards received instruction and incentive to use guns to detain unlawful civilians who were illegally migrating to West Berlin. Litfin was twenty four years old when he was shot and killed on the afternoon of August 24th, 1961, in broad daylight. Had Litfin tried escaping the previous day, it is likely he would have made it to West Berlin alive.
Recommended Citation
Fennelly, Matthew, "HISTORICAL FICTION: ADAPTING PAGE TO STAGE" (2025). Dartmouth College Master’s Theses. 234.
https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/masters_theses/234
Comments
A historical fiction novella and stage play adaptation.