Georg Kaiser's 'Die Koralle' (The Coral) is a play that grabs you with a simple, wild premise and doesn't let go. Written in 1917, it's part of his famous 'Gas' trilogy, but you can jump right in without any background.

The Story

The central character is known only as the Billionaire. He's the ultimate self-made man, a titan of industry who has clawed his way from poverty to unimaginable riches. But his wealth is a cage. He's consumed by bitterness and trauma from his brutal childhood. His own children, raised in luxury, don't understand him at all.

His one moment of peace comes from a small, perfect piece of coral his secretary carries—a symbol of the secretary's own carefree, happy past. In a desperate bid for that peace, the Billionaire does the unthinkable. He murders his secretary—his literal double—and takes his place. He assumes the secretary's identity, his documents, and most importantly, his happy history. He leaves his old life, his fortune, and his family behind, believing he's finally free.

But the past has a way of catching up. His son, now running the business empire, becomes obsessed with finding his father's 'killer'—little knowing the killer and the victim are the same man. The Billionaire's new life, built on a lie, begins to crack under the pressure of the investigation and his own gnawing guilt.

Why You Should Read It

What struck me most is how current it feels. Kaiser isn't just writing about 1917; he's writing about the human obsession with reinvention and the myth of the 'clean slate.' We see it today in social media personas and career pivots. The Billionaire thinks money and a new name can buy him a new soul, but Kaiser shows that trauma and identity are stubborn things. The play moves fast, with sharp dialogue and intense scenes that feel more like a psychological thriller than a dusty classic. The characters aren't just symbols; the Billionaire's anguish is palpable, and his children's confusion feels real.

Final Verdict

This is perfect for readers who love thought-provoking drama with a dark edge. If you enjoy plays by Arthur Miller or the tense, moral questions in a Patricia Highsmith novel, you'll find a lot to chew on here. It's also a fantastic gateway into German Expressionism—it's accessible, gripping, and short enough to read in an afternoon. Don't let the publication date fool you; 'Die Koralle' asks a question we're all still trying to answer: Can we ever really leave ourselves behind?