Jean Genet, Les Bonnes [The Maids]

Clare Finburgh (University of Kent at Canterbury)

Ed. by David Houston Jones, University of Exeter
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.5.2.07: French Writing and Culture: Postwar and Contemporary, 1945-present.
Vol. editors: Kate Averis (University of Western Australia), Hugo Azerad (University of Cambridge), Patrick ffrench (King's College London), Edward Forman (University of Bristol), Akane Kawakami (Birkbeck, University of London), Siobhán McIlvanney (King's College London), Sinan Richards (King's College London), Tim Unwin (University of Bristol), David Williams (University of Sheffield)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1947

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France (Country of Origin)

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When Claire, a maid, kneels to tend to the train of Madame’s gown, Madame kicks her in the head. Clare has polished her mistress Madame’s shoes, and arranged her skirts. But rather than showing gratitude, Madame displays only disgust towards her maid who, according to her, stinks and must keep her distance (2002, 129-132). Claire can tolerate the provocation no longer, and turns on her mistress. She spits on her dress, slaps her and, as her frustration peaks, tightens her hands around Madame’s neck. An alarm clock rings, abruptly halting the assault (2002, 134-135).

This opening scene might appear to provide the reader/spectator with a clear exposition of the plot in a manner typical of classical tragedy: a servant and her mistress struggle to dominate each other. Who will prevail?

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2696 words

Citation: Finburgh, Clare. "Les Bonnes". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 08 November 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=20275, accessed 22 November 2024.]

Jean Genet, Les Bonnes [The Maids]

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