Mr Puntila and His Man Matti
ger. Herr Puntila und sein Knecht Matti · 1948
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Interesting Facts
- At the heart of the story is an unusual duo: an eccentric landowner whose moods shift with the amount of alcohol in his blood, and his laconic, wise servant, whose resilience and irony quietly counterbalance his master’s storms.
- The play intricately intertwines elements of folk comedy and social satire, and beneath its apparent lightness lies a deep reflection on the nature of power, dependence, and human dignity.
- Vivid dialogues and grotesque scenes reveal not only the characters’ personalities but also subtly mock the duality of human nature, where kindness and cruelty, generosity and stinginess coexist in one person.
- The work resonates with motifs of Finnish folk culture, giving the narrative a special flavor: there are drinking songs, harsh landscapes, and the simple yet expressive speech of the characters.
- Through contrasts and unexpected plot twists, the author masterfully shows how easily the roles of master and servant can change, and how true strength is sometimes hidden behind outward obedience.

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Date of publication: 23 May 2025
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Genre: Drama
This material is prepared for educational purposes and is not a reproduction of the original text. We do not use protected elements of the work (text, structure, unique scenes).
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