der Besuch Der alten Dame key info

How is Claire a two-sided character?

on the one hand, she has become grotesque and villainous (grotesk und schändlich) in her wealth (der Reichtum), but the other hand it cannot be denied that Ill did her an injustice (Ungerechtigkeit) by leaving her when he impregnated (geschwängert - from schwanger sein, to be pregnant) her, and by bribing (bestechen) Koby and Loby to say they slept with her

What does Claire ask the priest when she first arrives in Güllen?

whether he comforts the dying (ob er die Sterbenden tröstet) (he replies by ignoring her and saying that there is no longer a death penalty in Switzerland)

Give some examples of black humour. (Schwarzer Humor)

coffin, black panther (der Sarg, ein schwarzer Panther)

What does Claire ask the doctor when he first arrives in Güllen?

whether he makes death certificates (ob er Totenscheine schreibt)

What does Claire ask the policeman when he first arrives in Güllen?

whether he will turn a blind eye (ob er seine Augen zudrücken wird)

lighthearted humour

the names of Claire's entourage; Boby, Roby, Toby, Koby, Loby etc; the fact that Roby and Toby are portrayed as monsters chewing gum, and that Koby and Loby repeat (wiederholen) each other whenever they speak,

grotesque elements

Claire has so many prosthetics (Prothesen), the coffin (der Sarg), the panther (schwarzer Panther)

What was the Wirtschaftswunder and how does it connect to DBDAD?

The Wirtschaftswunder was the rapid reconstruction of the economy of West Germany and Austria following World War 2. It connects to DBDAD because it is similar to how the characters (Figuren) buy lots of things on credit. Just as the economy developed quickly but still could not change the atrocities of the war, the characters (Figuren) buy lots of expensive goods (teure Waren) but cannot prevent (verhindern) the inevitable death of Ill. (Die Unausweichlichkeit des Todes)

What is the significance of Ill having been called the black panther?

There is a black panther (ein schwarzer Panther) in the play, who is shot (erschossen), which foreshadows (was lässt …ahnen) what will happen to Ill.

What is significant when Mrs Ill receives a portrait (Porträt) of her husband?

it becomes so ridiculously obvious (wird offensichtlich) that the Gülleners will kill Ill, almost to the point of being funny

What is Claire's key belief about justice (die Gerechtigkeit)?

she believes that she can buy justice (Man kann alles kaufen)

What are the key messages of the play?

The play highlights the dangers of greed (Die Gefahren der Gier), and criticises capitalism and consumerism (kritisiert Kapitalismus und Konsumerismus)

key quote from Claire which shows she is seeking revenge

"Die Welt machte mich zu einer Hure, nun mache ich sie zu einem Bordell".

How does Dürrenmatt use the Verfremdungseffekt?

the story is so unrealistic, grotesque absurd that it alienates the audience from the atrocities (die Greueltaten), so that they can judge the characters (Figuren) from an outside perspective, and focus on the message of warning against greed and capitalism in the play (rather than on the characters themselves, who are merely there to show Dürrenmatt's views)

signs that Ill's death was inevitable

a new Church bell (Eine neue Kirchenglocke) the new yellow shoes, the fact that most of the characters have weapons (Waffen) with them when Ill visits (they claim that the weapons are solely for Claire's panther, which is on the loose), the fact that the characters (Figuren) buy more and more expensive goods on credit (eg chocolate, cigarettes- Schokolade und Zigaretten)

What is Güllen like at the start of the play?

in dire poverty; for example the train no longer stops there (Der Zug hält dort nicht mehr)

Why might the Gülleners feel scared of Claire?

they learn that she had Koby and Loby castrated and blinded (kastriert und geblendet)

signs that the policeman has betrayed Ill

golden tooth, yellow shoes (goldenen Zahl, gelbe Schuhe)

What excuse do the Gülleners use to justify killing Ill?

they say that it will restore (wiederherstellen) justice (die Gerechtigkeit)

How does the mayor's attitude towards Ill change when it is revealed he betrayed Claire?

The mayor says that he no longer possesses the 'moral right' (moralisches Recht) to be his successor (Nachfolger)

Claire uses violence in an attempt to restore justice. What does this reflect?

the wars (die Kriege)

How does Claire respond when the teacher and doctor go to her at the start if act 3 in desperation for her help?

she has no sympathy (das Mitleid) and says that it was she herself who orchestrated the downfall of Güllen, and that it is Ill who is the primary reason that they live in poverty

Quote from the mayor at the end of act 1 (I believe!), which shows that the Gülleners are initially on the side of Ill.

"Lieber bleiben wir arm als blutbefleckt."

What might the actions of the mayor be used to represent?

how governments (Regierungen) often lose their morals

quote that shows the teacher knows that them receiving the money is not the moral thing to do

"Die schändliche Milliarde brennt in unseren Herzen."

quote which shows that even the teacher has succumbed to the temptation of the billion

"Ich fühle, wie ich langsam zu einem Mörder werde."

How do the Gülleners refer to Claire at the beginning, which shows their desperation.

They call her their 'einzige Hoffnung'.

How is Claire 'irregeleitet'?

She is misguided because she incorrectly believes that you can buy justice, and that all problems can be solved by money.

What does the policeman represent and why is this ironic?

He represents the law (die gesetzliche Ordnung), which is ironic (Ironisch) because he is complicit in Ill's slaughter and claims that he doesn't take Claire seriously.

Why is it particularly significant when the teacher too cannot resist the temptation?

At the time, teachers tended to be portrayed as very respectable (anständig) characters in Swiss literature. (Schweizer Literatur)

quote from the teacher about temptation

"Die Versuchung ist zu groß und unsere Armut zu bitter."

How does the radio reporter describe Claire's offering?

'eines der größten sozialen Experimente unserer Epoche'

Forshadowing

Vorahnung