Literature Companion: The Visit

By History World

“The Visit” asks several questions. It questions Swiss neutrality during the Second World War. It also puts a question mark on the rise of fascism. The play also points critically to the rise of capitalism in the 1950s. Eventually, it tries to ask questions about the general corruptibility of justice.

The playwright, through the present play, seems to be asking whether it is possible to buy justice. It also asks whether murder and personal revenge can be the part of justice.

The play very thoughtfully explores that role of money in buying justice. The issues like buying false witnesses with the power of money are also examined by the play.

Literature Companion: The Visit
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
Act One
Act Two
Act Three
Chapter Five: Critical Analysis

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raja Sharma
• Release date: Aug 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310501425

Book preview

Literature Companion: The Visit

History World

Copyright

Literature Companion: The Visit

History World

Copyright@2014 History World

Smashwords Edition

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Chapter One: Introduction

The Visit by Friedrich Durrenmatt was first performed in 1956 in Zurich. It is a very popular and highly acclaimed tragicomic play.

When the play first premiered, the playwright was thirty five years old. Although he was so young, the play brought him international acclaim and innumerable positive reviews. After the enactment of this play, Durrenmatt’s place as a dramatist was cemented.

According to the playwright, The Visit presents a pessimistic social vision of post-war Europe. It focuses particularly on Switzerland.

The Visit asks several questions. It questions Swiss neutrality during the Second World War. It also puts a question mark on the rise of fascism. The play also points critically to the rise of capitalism in the 1950s. Eventually, it tries to ask questions about the general corruptibility of justice.

The playwright, through the present play, seems to be asking whether it is possible to buy justice. It also asks whether murder and personal revenge can be the part of justice.

The play very thoughtfully explores that role of money in buying justice. The issues like buying false witnesses with the power of money are also examined by the play.

Chapter Two: Plot Overview

The opening scene is set in the town of Gullen. The people of the town are making preparations to welcome the famous billionaire Claire Zachanassian. It transpires that Claire had grown up in that town.

The town happens to be facing very hard times; however, the people hope that Claire will donate funds to help the people of the town.

Alfred III is the most popular man in the town of Gullen. He is the owner of the general store. It is revealed that Alfred III was Claire’s lover during their youth. The mayor of the town requests Alfred III to convince Claire to make a donation to the town.

At the appointed time, Claire arrives in town. She is accompanied by her husband, a butler, two henchmen, and two blind eunuchs. There is also a black casket with the group. There is also a caged panther with them. They have several pieces of luggage as well.

When Alfred III and Claire are face to face, flirtatious exchanges take place between the two. He pretends that she is as delightful as ever although both of them are in their sixties and heavily overweight. Claire shoes him her prosthetic leg and artificial