The visit of the old lady

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Yellow shoes play an important role as a symbol in Friedrich Dürrenmatt's “The Visit of the Old Lady”. Not only do they characterize the various people, they also mark important stages in the course of the plot.

Life on credit is the beginning of the end in Friedrich Dürrenmatt's tragic comedy "The Visit of the Old Lady", which premiered in 1956. The offer of the "old lady" Klare Zachanassian to pay one billion for the death of Alfred Ill, declined the inhabitants of the impoverished small town of Güllen initially, but the lure of money is too strong. They get into debt until they can no longer help but pronounce the death sentence on their fellow citizens.

The color symbolism of the yellow shoes

The yellow shoes are mentioned again and again in the course of the plot and provide important clues. It is not only important that it is an extravagant piece of clothing, but also that it has a special color.

  • Yellow is the color of envy and jealousy. Since the Middle Ages, colors have symbolized various character traits and states of mind in everyday life.
  • Today it is often less known that yellow was also considered the color of Judas, the traitor of Jesus, and thus became the general "color of shame". Think, for example, of the yellow star that Jews had to wear in the Third Reich.
  • Above all, the aspect of betrayal plays a role in “The Old Lady's Visit”: As Alfred Ill the new yellow one If he sees shoes on the feet of the residents of Güllen, he knows that they have been unfaithful to him and are betraying him will. Even the police and mayors are disloyal.
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Luxury items in the old lady's visit

Yellow shoes in Dürrenmatt's “Visit to the Old Lady” are an indication of corruption and the increasing consumption of luxury items.

  • Not only do the people from Güllens buy the unusual shoes, they also buy “whole milk” instead of simple milk, silk ties and expensive cigars.
  • Even the pastor succumbs to the consumption frenzy: He affords himself new bells for the church.
  • Ill's own family joins in. The wife buys a fur coat, the son a fast car and the daughter is learning tennis.
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