Even sillier question: Angst

[max]

Dears,

I suppose, this question may sound absolutely idiotical to you, but I'm a bit lost whenever I read the description "Angst" for a fic.

The word in itself sounds familiar to me (small wonder - I'm German and the word actually is too). But I really don't know what it means when used for describing the style of a fic. And my dictionary (though it is the famous Muret-Sanders and with that the best one can get for English-German) doesn't help much either. It says: "Angst = Existenz Angst" (=existential fear).

So what does "Angst" mean? And what's the difference between an "Angst" fiction and a drama?

Max
who'd be really thankful for an explanation

[griseldalafey]

I think the difference between angst and drama is that drama is about dramatic actions, like Minerva being kidnapped by Grindlewald/ Voldemort, Albus going on a mad rescue etc.

Angst is about negative feelings. Regret, suicidal thoughts, grief, mourning, things like that. Angst goes on inside a people's mind, drama involves the body.

I think... Just my two cents

[angeldust]

wow.... All my fics fit the angst section *Ponders.* Will have to write something werid n wonderful now!!!!!

[ginger newts]

I think you pretty much got it with your definition of existential fear. Angst is a really nasty emotion, one most of us really probably can't identify with. From a fan fic point of view, griselda's answer sounds good to me. I tend to lable things angst if they're about someone's psychological troubles, like severe anger/fear/self doubt/guilt/etc... Drama is more active.