The Arsonists

Max Frish wrote this book after WW-II, about how his countrymen ignored Hitler until it was too late. It is presented in the metaphor of an arsonist in the neighborhood who comes to live in a house of a certain Mr. Biedermann, who is so concerned about "not appearing unlikeable", he refuses to believe the new tenant of being the arsonist, in spite of him reeking of gasoline, and storing gasoline in the attic of the house where he stays, and the arsonist's provocative words and behavior. The arsonist continues asking everyone were he can get gasoline, fuses, matches, etc., saying "you don't really believe I would do such a thing, do you?" while homes go up in flames -- but Biedermann is in denial, and so in the end, his home is filled with barrels of gasoline, and the arsonist asks him for matches... which are freely given. Valid today also, regarding Islam in the West. Europe is in full-tilt denial about the dangers of Islam, and every tiny security measure is treated as an "offense" and so nobody wants to appear "impolite". Handing over the ports to Dubai, and now the latest news, giving a Chinese company owned by high-up CP officials the job of nuclear security examination of cargoe. Goodness, we don't wish to upset anyone by suggesting, they might do something bad! Too many Biedermann's in high-up government postions, and in the mass-media, apologetically ignoring even the guys who reek of gasoline...

This play is about a man who harbors arsonists in his home. He believes that by becoming friends with them, he can protect his home, and they also have a secret to blackmail him with. All in all, this is a cleverly writen play which not only humorously tells the story about Biedermann but it also gives insights into Max Frisch's thoughts about the rise and fall of Nazism. I would recommend this to all intermediate German readers as it is an interesting play and an interesting comment on life.

Sorry for writing in English, but my German isn't too good."Biedermann und die Brandstifer" translates as Biedermann and the Arsonists, more or less. It's the story of a stupid, rich company owner named Biedermann, who lives with his wife and a maid. He is worried about arsonists, but when a large, strange man appears at his door, and both terrifies and flatters him, he lets him stay, though the man seems suspiciously like an arsonist.This continues; soon more people are staying at the Biedermanns' house. The police come to investigate, but Biedermann turns them away. He's afraid the police won't just arrest the arsonists, but will also arrest him, because he became rich using another man's formula. So he is complicit, and pretends the arsonists aren't really arsonists. He hopes if he flatters and feeds them, they'll leave without burning his house.There are three arsonists: a common man, a man from the upper middle class, and an intellectual, who later distances himself from the others. He wanted to burn things to make way for a better world, but they burn things simply because they like fire and sirens. The play is sort of an allegory about the rise of the Nazi Party. It's called "A Lehrstueck Ohne Lehre," or a teaching play without a lesson, because it says people never learn. Biedermann reads about arsonists in the newspaper, but doesn't learn how to keep them away from his house. People learn about the rise of hideous political parties, but then let others rise in their place.But that all sounds depressing, and really the play is very funny. It uses a lot of techniques invented by Berthold Brecht, to keep you from emotionally identifying with the action on stage; you're supposed to think, instead. The characters talk directly to the audience, and there's a Greek chorus dressed as firemen. It's serious, but you don't notice that so much at first, because it's funny. I recommend this play very much, and would love to see it performed.

This is one of the classic german plays reflecting the circumstances which lead to the Nazi regime. it illustrades that "turning away" from problems and ignorance might ultimately result in desaster. its a very worthwhile lesson to be learned, espacially in a country which lacks the same kind of history as germany. its a strog meaasge to all people addicted to their own peace......

I really liked this book. It is a dark drama, one that is frightening to hear. I acted in this play and I decided to pick up the book since I liked it so much. It's about a man named Biederman. Despite the warnings of "firebugs," or what we would call more-commonly arsonists, he invited a man into his house. A large, burly man that he couldn't say no to. He gave him home in the attic of his own house. His wife objected, of course, because she didn't want anyone who may be a pyromaniac living in her home. In the morning she promised herself she would get rid of the man in a perfectly polite manner. Instead, the man gave her the sad story of his youth and Frau Biederman allowed him into her house because she felt sorry for the man. So, the man invited a friend of his, without consulting Herr Biederman, by the name of Eisenring. Together they collected sawdust and oil barrels in the attic, and even promised Herr Biederman that they were the firebugs of the city and that they were going to burn the house down. But because it is his house, Gottlieb Biederman does not dismiss the two from his house. This is the story of a man who refuses to believe, and then blames all his mistakes on fate. I really enjoyed this creepy book. I think people who respect a drama such as his will, too.