Greek seeks Greek woman (Roman)
Greek seeks Greek woman. A prose comedy is a work by Friedrich Dürrenmatt and was published in 1955.
content
The novel tells the story of Arnolph Archilochus. As the sub-accountant of a sub-accountant, he leads a relatively dreary life, so he says to Madame Bieler, the owner of Chez Auguste , when he first appears in her dive bar:
“I am lonely, accountant, I live righteously, and I am a strict teetotaler. I don't smoke either. Swearing is out of the question. "
Madame Bieler decides to publish a marriage advertisement for him, and at Archilochus' request it is simple:
"Greek seeks Greek woman"
After all, he describes himself as a Greek, although his ancestors immigrated in the time of Charles the Bold and he himself has never visited the land of his ancestors. Chloé Saloniki answers the announcement. Together they walk through the city, where they are greeted warmly by all high-ranking and lower-ranking people. Archilochus only realizes that Chloé is a well-known prostitute when they get married (which takes place two days after they met). In a rage, Archilochus rushes out of the church, only to look for Chloé again after an unsuccessful assassination attempt on the president.
The two versions of the last chapter
There are two versions of Chapter 24: The first version is directly linked to the actual narrative, the second version is marked after the "Ende I" as a version for lending libraries. The first version ends with the destruction of Chloés and Archilochos' villa: "Archilochos paid no attention to him. He stared in front of him with puffy eyes, caked in blood, his wedding dress torn, with the lining hanging out, his glasses lost." The second version of the ending, however, ends with the reconciliation of Chloé and Archilochus, after the latter had carried out excavations in Greece with the Weeman couple.
characters
- Arnolph Archilochos: The protagonist is a single sub- accountant of a sub- accountant who comes to unexpected luck through his contact ad (he is appointed general director of the atomic cannon and forceps department, as well as the honorary World Council of Churches). On his wedding day, he realizes that his bride is a well-known prostitute. At the beginning Archilochus has a stable world order (idols from No. 1 to No. 8), which eventually collapses.
- Chloé Saloniki: Chloé answers the personal ad and wants to immediately marry Archilochus. She is a prostitute who has served the whole city.
- Madame Bieler: She is the owner of Chez Auguste , which she runs together with her husband Auguste. She also seems to have been a prostitute, at least that's what the text suggests.
- Auguste Bieler: He is a former cyclist who won a legendary Tour de Suisse and almost won an even more legendary Tour de France . Otherwise he has to obey his resolute wife.
- The Weeman couple: The Weeman couple is introduced by Chloé as their foster parents, but there is no connection between them.
- Passap: Passap is number 4 in Archilochus' world order and an abstract artist. In one of the pictures Archilochos recognizes his bride, and when he wants to confront Passap, he says that Archilochus is the exact counterpart to Aphrodite (= Chloé), namely the god of war Ares .
- Bibi Archilochos: Bibi is Arnolph's brother and also number 8 in his world order. His way of life is the complete opposite of Arnolph's life: he drinks and robs other people.
expenditure
- Friedrich Dürrenmatt: Greeks are looking for a Greek. A prose comedy. 13th edition, Diogenes TB 22514, Zurich 1992 (first edition 1955), ISBN 978-3-257-22514-3 .
- as an audio book: The Greek is looking for a Greek . 3 CDs Audiobook , spoken by Wolfgang Höper , Steinbach, Schwäbisch Hall 2006, ISBN 978-3-88698-808-2 (= Steinbach speaking books ).
filming
Rolf Thiele filmed the work in 1966 based on a script by Franz Seitz ; Heinz Rühmann and Irina Demick played the main roles.
Web links
- Dieter Wunderlich: detailed review 2005