Asterix in Switzerland
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| Asterix in Switzerland | |
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| French Title: | Asterix chez les Helvetes |
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| Story: | Rene Goscinny |
| Illustrations: | Albert Uderzo |
| French Edition: | 1970 |
| English Translation: | 1973 |
| Preceded by: | Asterix and the Roman Agent |
| Followed by: | The Mansions of the Gods |
Asterix in Switzerland is the sixteenth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). It was originally serialized in Pilote issues 557-578 in 1970.
Contents |
[edit] Plot summary
Quaestor Vexatius Sinusitus has been poisoned by the corrupt Roman governor Varius Flavus, who has been putting aside the greatest share of the taxes he'd collected for himself. Sinusitus calls for the druid Getafix. Getafix can brew an antidote, but unfortunately an essential ingredient of the potion is the silver star (edelweiss), which only grows on the highest mountains.
Getafix sends Asterix and Obelix to Helvetia (Switzerland) to get the flower. But they soon run into difficulties set by the Romans, as Varius Flavus has warned his colleague in Helvetia that the Gauls are coming. All the time they find themselves chased by the Romans, but they manage to get help from some courageous Helvetians, including the hotel manager Petitsuix, Zurix, the manager of a bank (Asterix and Obelix spend a night in one of its safes) and some Helvetian veterans who hold a celebration at Lake Geneva.
After some difficulties - including Obelix passing out from the alcohol in a fondue (he has a very low tolerance for alcohol) - the two Gauls manage to secure an edelweiss and return to the village. A few days later, Varius Flavus comes to the village and asks how Sinusitus is doing. Sinusitus comes out, cured and having consumed some magic potion (being the first - and so far - only Roman who has taken the potion with actual permission), and punches Flavus into the sky. The story ends with the usual banquet, with Sinusitus being the first Roman ever to participate.
[edit] Commentary
Following May 68, Goscinny started introducing more "adult" themes such as the opening "orgy" scene which parodies Federico Fellini's debauched Roman film, Satyricon. The painted faces, feeling of ennui, mechanical gorging of elaborate food and sado-masochistic punishments are nicely counterbalanced by the annoying (to the Romans) fastidiousness of the Swiss servants who keep cleaning up messes, washing whips, etc.
[edit] Notes
- Bibendum (the Michelin man) makes a brief guest appearance as the chariot wheel dealer in certain translations, including the original English translation. The original French version used the Gaulish warrior mascot of (then current) French service station company Antar. The 2004 English re-edition from Orion Books uses the French illustrations, making the later localized jokes referring to Bibendum's weight nonsensical.[1] [2]
- The pirates do not appear in this story although Sinusitus mentions them as arguing and sinking their own ship (an apparent reference to the previous story Asterix and the Roman Agent).
- Throughout the album the Swiss reputation for cleanliness is satirized.
- The precision of Swiss watches and cuckoo clocks are spoofed.
- When Asterix and Obelix hide themselves in the bank Asterix tries to tell the owner what he wants to put in the safe. The owner says it doesn't matter to him and that discretion is assured. This is a reference to the famous Swiss bank secrecy.
- On page 33 the neutrality of the country and their special military service system are referenced.
- The palace of international conferences where Asterix, Obelix and Petitsuix hide is an allusion to Geneva where many international conferences are held, most famously the European Headquarters of the United Nations.
- Yodeling, alpine horns, cheese fondue are referenced.
- When Obelix eats a whole pot of cheese fondue and then drinks alcohol to make sure they can leave the fondue feast early he falls asleep. One of the Swiss people remarks that he did this so fast and that it would take them hours to do it at the same speed. Goscinny and Uderzo satirize the stereotypical slowness of Swiss people (which has to do with their way of speaking).
- The scene with the bow and the boy with the apple is an obvious reference to William Tell.
- When Obelix is tied to Asterix and the other Swiss to climb a mountain they make an obvious reference to mountaineering. When Asterix and Obelix slide downwards thru the snow they resemble a sled. These jokes about typical Swiss sports are referenced once more when a Roman complains: "Swimming, climbing mountains,...", whereupon their centurion exclaims that they "aren't taking a holiday."
- When one of the Swiss people hits a Roman, he starts putting some bandage on his head. The baffled Roman doesn't understand this, but the Swiss explains that they have the duty to nurse everyone, even if they're enemies. This is a reference to The Red Cross, which was founded by the Swiss Henri Dunant
[edit] Mistakes
- The sign on pages 21 and 22 says GAUL, ROMAN EMPIRE & HELVETIA, ROMAN EMPIRE TOO. But on the next page, the sign just says GAUL & HELVETIA.
- The barrel beside the sign on pages 21 and 22 (marked DETRITUS). On the next page, the barrel has disappeared!
[edit] References
- ^ Background document from the Official Asterix Website
- ^ [1] - Page from Asterix NZ
[edit] More information
[edit] In other languages
- Dutch: Asterix en de Helvetiërs
- German: Asterix bei den Schweizern
- Spanish: Astérix en Helvecia
- Swedish: Asterix i Alperna
