description Incident at Vichy Overview
Incident at Vichy is a one-act play written by American playwright Arthur Miller, premiering in 1964. Set in a detention holding area in Vichy France during World War II, the story examines the psychological strain and moral complicity of a group of men detained during a Nazi roundup. The characters, primarily Jewish men, confront their shared fate and the systemic collaboration of the local Vichy authorities. The play serves as a severe critique of self-preservation and is intended for audiences studying Holocaust literature and modern moral philosophy.
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What is the setting of Arthur Miller's Incident at Vichy?
The play takes place in 1942 in a detention block in Vichy, France, during the Nazi occupation. A group of men have been picked up off the streets and are waiting to be interrogated and checked by the police.
Who are the main characters in Incident at Vichy?
The cast features a diverse group of detainees, but the psychological core of the play centers on a Catholic-educated Austrian prince named Von Berg and a Jewish psychiatrist named Leduc. Their interaction forms the climax of the story regarding the transfer of a vital pass.
When did Incident at Vichy premiere?
The play debuted on Broadway at the ANTA Washington Square Theatre in December 1964. It was Miller's follow-up to his massive success After the Fall, which had premiered earlier that same year.
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