The Visit Questions and Answers
The Visit
What is the cultural context of The Visit by Friedrich Dürrenmatt?
The play is set in a Swiss town in the decade after World War II. After much suffering and massive destruction during World War II (though not in Switzerland), Europeans are materially prosperous...
The Visit
What are examples of situational irony in The Visit?
Well, first let's talk about what situational irony is and then figure out how it's present (in many ways) in The Visit. Situational irony is present when an expected result is different from the...
The Visit
What is the role of the press in Dürrenmatt's The Visit and how do they interpret Güllen's events?
The Visit includes several characters of journalists who follow Claire Zachanassian because she is rich and famous. Collectively, they represent the gullibility and complicity of institutions that...
The Visit
What is the symbolic and plot importance of Boby the butler in "The Visit"?
In the play “The Visit” by Friedrich Durrenmatt, Boby the butler symbolizes all that is corruptible, including the justice system.
The Visit
What is the significance of the real-life time, place, and events implied in The Visit?
The Visit takes place in a mythical town in Germany that represents the modern German spirit as well as Western civilization. The town is symbolically named Guellen, which is both a play on words...
The Visit
How does objectification of women in The Visit develop the global issue of identity?
In The Visit, Schill treats Claire as an object rather than a human being. Claire, in turn, loses her identity as a human, becomes focused on revenge, and treats others as though they were mere...
The Visit
Analyze the juxtaposition of Boby's roles as a judge and a butler in The Visit.
In The Visit, the author creates a double juxtaposition in the character of Boby, Claire's butler. Boby was once the judge in Claire's hometown, but his desire for more money led him to become...