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''The Fire Raisers'' ((ドイツ語:Biedermann und die Brandstifter)), also known in English as ''The Firebugs'', ''Firebugs'', or ''The Arsonists,'' was written by Max Frisch in 1953, first as a radio play, then adapted for television and the stage (1958) as a play in six scenes.〔Hutchinson, Peter (1986). "Introduction," Frisch, Max (1953). (''Biedermann und Die Brandstifter'' ), Methuen & Co, p. 9ff.〕 It was revised in 1960 to include an epilogue, or afterpiece.〔( Frisch's "The Firebugs" Opens on Thursday "Titan Times" 10(24) May 14, 1968 )〕 ==Plot== This dark comedy is set in a town that is being regularly attacked by arsonists. Disguised as door-to-door salesmen (hawkers), they talk their way into people's homes and settle down in the attic, where they set about the destruction of the house. Written in the years following World War II, as a metaphor for Nazism and fascism, the play shows how "normal" citizens can be taken in by evil.〔Redmond, James (1979). ''Drama and Society''. Cambridge University Press, p. 195.〕 The central character, a businessman called Biedermann, is seen at the outset reading newspaper reports of arson, convinced that he could never be taken in. Within minutes, the first "hawker" has appeared (Schmitz), and through a combination of intimidation and persuasion he talks his way into spending the night in the attic. As the play unfolds, a second arsonist appears (Eisenring), and before Biedermann can do anything to stop it, his attic is piled high with oil drums full of petrol. He even helps them to measure the detonating fuse and gives them matches, refusing to believe the full horror of what is happening. He soon becomes an accomplice in his own downfall. The action is observed by a Greek-style chorus of "firemen", and the increasingly surreal flavour culminates in a final scene, the afterpiece, where Biedermann and his wife Babette find themselves at the gates of Hell. Here they once again meet Schmitz and Eisenring who turn out to be Beelzebub and the Devil respectively, who, after becoming angered at the number of mass murderers being allowed to go to Heaven, refuses to conduct a Hell for a "small fry" like Biedermann.〔 The name Biedermann is itself a play on the German word "bieder" meaning conventional, conservative, worthy, honest, upright and is frequently used in a pejorative or ironic context. Thus the name equates to ''der biedere Mann'' or ''the worthy man''. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Fire Raisers (play)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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