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Victims of a Corrupt System

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Victims of a Corrupt System?:The Inequality of the Criminal Justice System in The Visit
Fyodor Dostoevsky is celebrated as one of the greatest authors and literary psychologists of this century. His novels often wrestle with several debated subject matters such as: politics, social structure, and religion. In his most famous work, Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky calls for an intense revolution and regeneration of many Russian social norms. Perhaps the most ubiquitous call for reform in this novel is the need to change or correct the criminal justice system. In the following paper, I will discuss one of Dostoevsky’s central themes and how this theme applies to another popular novel, The Visit, written by Friedrich Dürrenmatt.
First, I would like to provide a very brief summary of this renowned novel. The Visit opens with the townspeople of Güllen hastily preparing for the arrival of the famed, charitable billionaire Claire Zachanassian, who had been a resident here for many years. This town’s economic state has recently taken a turn for the worst and its citizens have fallen on hard times. Alfred Ill, owner of Güllen’s general store and most likeable man in town, was once Claire’s lover and believes he can convince his past aficionada to help. The mayor agrees and Alfred is given the opportunity to, in a sense, liberate the town from this recent hardship.
At her homecoming ceremony, Claire announces a huge donation will be made, half to the town and half to be shared among the homes of the townspeople. Sadly, there is a gruesome condition that first must be fulfilled. Someone must first take the life of Alfred; the man who had disgraced her after he had broke her heart years before. At first, the citizens of Güllen are shocked and disgusted by her barbaric request. However, the lure of financial gain continues

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