Summary
Highlights
Friedrich Dürrenmatt's 1956 drama "Der Besuch der alten Dame" (The Visit of the Old Lady) is set in the postmodern era. The plot revolves around the billionaire Claire Zachanassian, who returns to her impoverished hometown of Güllen. She seeks revenge on her former lover, Alfred Ill, and demands his murder in exchange for a massive donation to the town.
Claire Zachanassian, formerly Klara Wäscher, is now 62 years old, ruthless, and vengeful due to past humiliation by Alfred. Alfred Ill, her former lover, denied paternity of their child and abandoned her. Despite his past actions, he appears human. The mayor, initially Alfred's confidant, later betrays him.
The drama unfolds in three acts in the fictional town of Güllen. In Act 1, the impoverished residents await Claire's arrival. The mayor hopes Alfred can convince Claire, his former lover, to donate. Claire arrives with her seventh husband, a butler, two blind men, a black panther, and a coffin. Alfred tries to secure a donation by showing Claire familiar places from their past. At a reception, Claire announces a billion-dollar donation to Güllen, but only with one condition: Alfred must be murdered. The reason for her demand dates back 45 years when Alfred denied paternity of their child, bribed witnesses, and forced Klara to leave town. She later lost her child and became a prostitute before marrying into wealth. The shocked mayor initially rejects her offer.
Alfred, a shopkeeper, initially feels secure with the support of the Gülleners and dismisses Claire's demand. However, residents start buying expensive goods they cannot afford, and Alfred notices everyone wearing new yellow shoes. Realizing the town is slowly accepting Claire's offer, Alfred becomes panicked. He attempts to report Claire for incitement to murder to the police, but the officer, also wearing yellow shoes, ignores him. The mayor and priest, too, are seen with new yellow shoes. The priest advises Alfred to flee. Alfred tries to escape by train but collapses at the station, and the train leaves without him.