This study is concerned with the social and political awareness apparent in the works of Günter Grass and Heinrich Böll. In particular, the authors' critical stance has been examined and, in some instances, the reaction of West German society to this criticism. Behind Böll's censure there is evident an intention to alert his fellow citizens to the prevailing social inequities, to awaken a deeper sense of democratic values, and, ultimately, to create a more equitable and human society.
There is evidence in post World War II literature that a new social and political consciousness has emerged among contemporary German writers. Many of their works are «engagierte Literatur», that is works appraising the recent historical past and showing a deep concern for the future of Germany. The writers express a serious feeling of responsibility for a sound, liberal government and for the well-being of German society. The study is limited, however, to West German writers who remained in their country during the Third Reich era and it excludes the emigrant writers who either returned to their homeland after 1945 or continued to live abroad.