Grass's style frequently parodies Martin Heidegger's arcane philosophical syntax in Being and Time, which one of the teenage protagonists likes to poke fun at. The years from the prewar to the postwar era are presented in Dog Years through the perspective of three different narrators, a team directed by Amsel — alias Brauxel — who makes scarecrows in man's image.
Grass's writing style frequently mocks Martin Heidegger's complex philosophical language in "Being and Time," which one of the teenage characters enjoys teasing about. The period from before World War II to after World War II is depicted through the lens of three different narrators, a team led by Amsel — who goes by Brauxel — who creates scarecrows that resemble humans.