Die Ratten

"Die Ratten" ("The Rats") is a play originally written by German author Gerhart Hauptmann in 1911. It depicts the struggles of working-class families living in impoverished urban conditions. The story explores themes of social injustice, family conflict, and economic hardship, highlighting how these pressures create a cycle of suffering and despair. The play uses symbolism and naturalistic dialogue to portray the characters' raw emotions and societal realities, aiming to provoke awareness and empathy about the plight of the urban poor in early 20th-century Germany.