The Visit By Frank Durrenmatt Analysis

Friedrich Durrenmatt, accomplished author and dramatist, in his play, The Visit, describes the corruption of a town caused by the manipulation of millionaire Claire Zachanassian. Durrenmatt’s purpose is to bring readers’ attention to how people act differently around the presence of money and bribery. Durrenmatt adopts a mocking tone in order to convey the theme of power and how it can cause a person to make bad decisions. Claire personifies the theme of power by having the citizens of Gullen wrapped around her finger by manipulation and money. Claire Zachanassian abuses her immense power and money to put a ransom on the death of Alfred Ill. Claire’s plan for revenge was in the making for years prior to her return to Gullen. Claire

Five hundred million to the town and five hundred million divided among all the families” (30). By announcing this to the entire town, Claire now has every member of the bankrupt town at her mercy. Claire knows that the citizens will be eternally grateful and will want to repay her in some way, shape or form. Claire then states “I can afford Justice. One billion for Gullen, if someone kills Alfred Ill” (35). Claire now reveals her true plans to the town and she knows it is just a matter of time until they give in to receive the money. Later on in the play, the teacher tells Claire “You remind me of a heroine from antiquity, of Medea” (72). Medea was a character in Greek mythology who killed her own children to bring her justice. Although this does not directly correlate with Claire’s ransom on Ill, both stories revolve around the larger message of killing the ones you love in order to receive revenge. Durrenmatt’s use of this reference give the reader a better understanding of Claire’s character and her obsessive need to have justice for herself. Claire later states “With financial power like mine, you can afford yourself a new world order” (72). By this, Claire means that if you have money like she does,