The World Made A Whore Of Me Analysis

When Claire Zachansian was a young woman, she fell deeply in love with man named Alfred Ill. She was abandoned by Ill once he had found out she was pregnant. Claire decided to take Ill to court for paternity, although Ill had paid two men to testify against her swearing that they were the ones that slept with Claire. The court eventually ruled against her, causing Claire to become a prostitute. Claire eventually met a very rich man at the brothel, and married into fortune. Many years later the town of Gullen is in great despair and poverty, waiting for the arrival of millionairess Claire Zachansian. She has returned to Gullen to prove to the townspeople that justice can be bought. When Claire arrives to town she gives a great speech to all …show more content…
She admits when she had gotten married into fortune, she had bought all the businesses in the town of Gullen and had them shut down on purpose. In other words, she forced them into poverty. The town swears she seeks revenge but according to Clara this is nothing but justice being served to the town that mistreated years before. Claire says “The World made a whore of me, now I’ll make a whorehouse of the world.” She is inferring that the world condemned her of having sex with two men she didn't, so she's taking it back out on everyone around her. The teacher cries “You’re a hurt, injured women!”(84). Despite all of the drama, the proposal for Ill’s death is still out there. During this time Ill is beginning to give up. He says “After all, it is my …show more content…
As the crowd loosens up the only thing left is the doctor kneeling over a corpse. “Heart attack.(110)” he exclaims. The Doctor begins to look up the mayor and journalists and confirms that Ill had just died from a heart attack. “Must have been from joy” says the Mayor(136). Claire Zuchansian returns to the city to see Ill. As she pulls back the tablecloth to see his face, she hands over the promised check to the Mayor of Gullen. The Visit was a play demonstrating how wealth can overpower and influence one's actions and thoughts, even to the ones closest to us. I think the author is trying to explain that things of this sort happen in today’s world. Companies as well as trusted individuals may be bought out, but only if the price is right. Durrenmatt did an amazing job portraying the characters in a way people in the real world can relate too. You could argue and say that her actions are justified for the crime Ill had committed years prior, although is it worth his life? The townspeople had thought one billion should be enough to bring justice to the town of Gullen. All it takes is the right amount of money, and you can control people or many people like a puppet