☝️ Key Points
- Claire Zachanassian seeks revenge for an old injury caused by Alfred Ill
- She wants justice, not revenge
- Money is believed to have power over moral principles
- The court denies the recognition of Alfred as the father of Claire's child
- The song reflects the desperation and thirst for revenge of Claire Zachanassian
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song "Justice" from the musical "The Visit" tell the story of a woman named Claire Zachanassian who seeks revenge for an old injury. In the past, Alfred Ill, the main protagonist of the musical, left Claire lying in a barn after she fell. Claire claims that Alfred pushed her, which he denies. As a result of this incident, Claire was unable to have children and feels betrayed by Alfred.
In the chorus of the song, Claire expresses her desire for justice. She doesn't seek revenge, but justice. She wants retribution for the pain she has suffered and for her broken heart. Claire is willing to pay money to get her justice. She believes that money rules and surpasses moral principles.
In the courtroom, Alfred is accused of being the father of Claire's child, but he denies it and claims that Claire has slept with many men. Other men confirm this statement, and the request for paternity recognition is denied. Claire is desperate and disappointed by the injustice she has experienced.
The lyrics of the song show Claire Zachanassian's desperation and thirst for revenge. She is willing to go over corpses to get her justice. At the same time, the text also reflects the corruption and moral depravity in society, where money reigns supreme. The meaning of the song lies in the fact that justice is often influenced by power and money, and that true justice is sometimes hard to achieve.