Frau Paul

Frau Paul is the last woman interviewed as a main feature by Funder and it is interesting to note that all the women she talks to were civilians in the GDR, as it was almost impossible for woman to progress up the ranks of the Stasi. Like Julia and Miriam, Funder paints Frau Paul in a highly sympathetic light, although unlike the others she does not seem to find Frau Paul completely reliable in her retelling. Frau Paul denies helping the students who stayed in her apartment in their attempt to escape across the border, although the accounts of Michael Hinze and Werner Coch contradict that, commending her bravery. She does come across as one of the most quietly courageous and morally sound people in the text, yet she constantly seeks to downplay this, as reflected in her anguish over her decision to not betray Hinze when tempted with a visit with her son.