Christa Wolf, a prominent East German writer, grew up under the shadow of Hitler's Germany, a backdrop that profoundly influenced her literary work and her inherent skepticism towards heroism. This environment of uncertainty and inherited guilt from her parents' generation is deeply woven into her narratives. Her works frequently reflect a journey from naivete to disillusionment, a thematic evolution that mirrors Wolf's own transformation from her days as a member of the Hitler Youth. Such a progression is poignantly depicted in her autobiographical novel, Kindheitsmuster (translated as A Model Childhood and later as Patterns of Childhood), which delves into the selective memory and denial prevalent among her contemporaries who struggled to confront the brutal realities of the past.

In this intricate narrative, Wolf illustrates the complexities of coming to terms with history through the potent symbol of Cassandra, a figure representing both foresight and condemnation. The novel recounts how the protagonist’s mother, reminiscent of Cassandra, faced repercussions from the Gestapo for voicing the inevitable defeat of Germany—a truth so glaring that "even a blind man could see it." Through this lens, Wolf critiques not only the historical amnesia of society but also the personal battles of those who dared to speak out against the oppressive ideologies of their time.