The Pledge by Friedrich Durrenmatt. Summary of the book.

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The Pledge by Friedrich Durrenmatt: Summary of the Book

The Pledge by Friedrich Durrenmatt is a novel that tells the story of a police inspector who is determined to find a serial killer. Written in 1958, the novel has gone on to become one of the most acclaimed works of literature of the 20th century, and is often studied in literary classes around the world. In this article, we will summarize the plot of the novel and discuss the themes and teachings of the book.

Summary of the Plot

The story begins with a small German town on the edge of a forest, in which a young girl has been brutally murdered. The police force is determined to find the killer, but despite their best efforts, they are unable to find any leads. In desperation, they enlist the help of a retired police inspector, Matthai, who agrees to help on the condition that he is given a pledge – a promise that the murderer will be brought to justice.

Matthai soon discovers that the killer is a mysterious figure known as the “Shadowman”, and he begins a relentless pursuit to capture him. Along the way, Matthai is confronted with moral dilemmas, as he is forced to make difficult decisions in order to bring the killer to justice. In the end, Matthai succeeds in capturing the killer, but is left with a profound sense of guilt and loss.

Themes and Teachings

The Pledge deals with a variety of themes, such as justice, morality, and the consequences of vengeance. The novel also explores the idea of justice being served, and the idea that justice can only be served if one is willing to make difficult and sometimes painful decisions. Additionally, the novel deals with the idea of guilt, and how it can affect a person even after the deed has been done.

The novel also examines the idea of personal responsibility and the importance of making the right decisions, even when those decisions may not always be popular. It also looks at the idea of justice, and the consequences of seeking vengeance. Ultimately, the novel argues that justice is only truly served when the guilty are punished and the innocent are allowed to live in peace.

Interesting Facts and Curiosities

  • The novel was originally written in German, but has since been translated into numerous languages, including English.
  • The novel was adapted into a feature film in 1959, and starred Marcello Mastroianni as Matthai.
  • The novel has been praised by critics and scholars alike, and has been hailed as one of the most important works of literature of the 20th century.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • What is the novel The Pledge about?
    The Pledge is a novel about a police inspector’s relentless pursuit of a serial killer. Along the way, he is confronted with moral dilemmas and difficult decisions, as he is forced to make tough choices in order to bring the killer to justice.
  • What themes does the novel explore?
    The novel explores a variety of themes, such as justice, morality, and the consequences of vengeance. It also examines the idea of personal responsibility and the importance of making the right decisions, even when those decisions may not always be popular.
  • Has The Pledge been adapted into a film?
    Yes, The Pledge was adapted into a feature film in 1959, and starred Marcello Mastroianni as Matthai.

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