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”