The Visit: form

Form of The Visit

Tragicomedy

The Visit is considered a tragicomedy, blending elements of both tragedy and comedy. The tragic elements lie in the acceptance of Alfred Ill’s impending doom and the town’s moral decay, while moments of dark comedy provide a relief from the underlying tensions.
This genre pairing is significant in highlighting the absurdity of humanity’s moral and ethical dilemmas. It raises profound questions about values in society and human conduct, as characters grapple with collective guilt while ironically being led down destructive paths.

Epic Theatre

The play aligns with Bertolt Brecht’s principles of Epic Theatre. It focuses on conveying a message or theme rather than emotionally engaging the audience. This allows the audience to critically reflect on the issues presented within the play.
The use of Verfremdungseffekt, or the alienation effect, separates audiences from the characters, making them observers rather than participants in emotional drama. This is seen in the unusual appearance and behaviour of Claire and her entourage.
The presentation of Claire’s proposal, the townsfolks’ acceptance, and Ill’s eventual resignation to his fate are brought forth using direct address and narration, other key techniques of Epic Theatre.

Symbolism and Allegory

The play is replete with symbolic and allegorical elements which deepen its message. Symbols such as the black panther, yellow shoes, and Claire’s artificial hand and leg imply larger themes of justice, guilt, and the impacts of capitalism.
The town of Güllen is an allegory of any community struggling with poverty and moral bankruptcy. It serves to expose human greed and the corruptibility of society when faced with material allure.

Non-Realistic Elements

Non-realistic elements supplement the dramatic structure of the play. The grotesque humour, deformed characters, abstract set designs, and exaggerated behaviors all create a distorted reality, encouraging the audience to focus on the intellectual and philosophical aspects rather than seeking emotional realism.

Structure

The Visit adheres to a linear plot structure but uses flashbacks to provide a deeper understanding of the characters’ past relationships and motivations.
The momentum of the story builds steadily, leading to an intense and thought-provoking climactic resolution with Alfred Ill’s acceptance of his impending death followed by the town’s faux celebrations. This structure emphasizes the moral deterioration of the characters.