"The Marriage of Maria Braun" focuses primarily on character-driven storytelling rooted in postwar German reality. Identity markers like gender or race aren't forced to the forefront, and the narrative doesn't feel shaped to fit a modern ideological checklist. The protagonist's actions are motivated by personal survival, not by representing a particular identity category.

The film features a strong female protagonist navigating adversity, but this is contextualized by the harsh historical setting. There's no overt attempt to undermine traditional values, if anything, Maria's quest for stability reflects a longing for home and family, albeit with moral complexity typical for New German Cinema.

The film doesn't push a singular ideological narrative; it's more a critique of postwar disillusionment and the complexities of rebuilding life. Traditional and alternative worldviews are represented through the struggles and flaws of various characters, keeping things relatively pluralistic compared to modern-day ideological monocultures.