Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco

[Anna]

This is a theatrical play,a rather short one, written in 1959 by the romanian-french writer Eugene Ionesco...

Well, I must say the surface plot is quite easy to understand. The protagonist, an average French provincial guy with drinking issues gradually watches his fellow citizens and friends turning into rhinoceroses. What happens in the end? Oh, no! I don't want to spoil the end for those who haven't read it yes...

However, for those of you who have read it, I really want to hear (read! :P ) your opinions about it. Beneath the surface plot, in the second-or maybe third- reading of the play, the innuendos on the political, social, economic and moral situation of France-and the world- during World War II are more than obvious.

Imagine how it could have been if in fact all the people were turned into rhinoceroces back then? What if the "absurd play" of Ionesco's was turned into reality?

Or...

Were they really turned into "rhinoceroses", meaning a strange state of living beings; not much of a human and not much of an animal existence?

Reflect on it and...let me hear your thoughts! This book really gave me lots of food to think!! :goof:

[cafolini]

When it was written, it was a novelty and sold a lot. Today it's still a novelty but it became obsolete because too many became obvious. No matter where you stand, one goes by right away. Often a whole group of them, which even Ionesco missed. LMAO

[Charles Darnay]

The play is grounded in reality. People (in France and all over Europe) were adopting the Nazi's policies, and to one who (having some semblance of logic) thought that the Nazi's were absurd (to put it politely) it was as if everyone around was turning into some form of animal.

The play still has an impact today because fascism is still alive, and the world is full of people adopting the common belief despite any rational thought about it.

And of course, if you are in Canada, there is the Rhinoceros Party (that wonderful group that maintains their promises of not keeping any promises they make)

[Anna]

Reading the play without knowing it talks about the world war II, you can easily place it to today's standards and reality... unfortunately, nothing has much changed since then... however, the last word leaves some hope floating in the air...

Berenger "Je ne capitule pas- I'm not capitulating!" . . .

and why should he? because the only one left, the only different? does different mean strange,dangerous,wrong? going with the mob makes you strong? I think not! it's not going with the mob, but rather hidding inside it- hide your thoughts, free thinking, free will and let others guide and manipulate you. one must stand for their ground, even if they are all alone!

[cafolini]

Reading the play without knowing it talks about the world war II, you can easily place it to today's standards and reality... unfortunately, nothing has much changed since then... however, the last word leaves some hope floating in the air...

Berenger "Je ne capitule pas- I'm not capitulating!" . . .

and why should he? because the only one left, the only different? does different mean strange,dangerous,wrong? going with the mob makes you strong? I think not! it's not going with the mob, but rather hidding inside it- hide your thoughts, free thinking, free will and let others guide and manipulate you. one must stand for their ground, even if they are all alone!

"I can't change Washington from the inside. I must do it from the outside." Barack Obama