THE PIANO TEACHER

by Elfriede Jelinek

b. 1946

intentional, direct injury of body tissue

not suicidal, though some overlap exists

closely aligned with depersonalization,

dissociative disorders• consider in this context the novel’s

style• correspondence with Erika’s character

and habits

SELF-HARM

Causes can include• childhood abuse• bereavement• troubled relationships (parental or

partner)

often a coping mechanism for dealing

with • anxiety and depression• emotional numbness• sense of failure• self-loathing

SELF-HARM

ERIKA KOHUT

• 42-43 – First cutting episode after visit to countryside

with cousin, preceding first peep-show visit

• 86 – Second cutting episode after attraction to the violin

teacher, right before account of taking father to asylum

“autocrat” “absolute ruler” “rooster”