{"id":6900,"date":"2016-07-15T07:00:55","date_gmt":"2016-07-15T06:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/leregardlibre.com\/?p=6900"},"modified":"2025-10-18T16:23:58","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T14:23:58","slug":"rhinoceros-or-totalitarianism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leregardlibre.com\/en\/literature\/rhinoceros-or-totalitarianism\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00abRhinoceros or totalitarianism"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some plays express something so strong, violent or harsh, that they leave the spectator stunned, glued to the seat, not knowing what to say or do, hesitating between laughter and tears. The Rhinoceros<\/em> by Eug\u00e8ne Ionesco is the very embodiment of this type of theater, so reading the play alone is enough to leave you speechless with astonishment and howling in revolt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The story is set in a typical small provincial town. The beginning is calm, peaceful, smelling of pastis on a sunny terrace. As noon approaches, the companions Jean and B\u00e9renger appear on stage, each taking a drink at the caf\u00e9 near the grocery store. Over the chatter of the two and the other locals, we hear the summery silence of the heat crackling the still, dry ground. Suddenly, the devastating sound of an animal that seems to be getting closer and closer is heard louder and louder, accompanied by a long, low growl. A rhinoceros!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The last man<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Discussions break out, but nothing seems too disturbing, except for the absurdity of the situation and the comments being made, particularly by the old man and the logician in the square. Then it's the turn of a second rhinoceros. Without really asking the question of the presence of these beasts in town, we debate the number of horns on the first and second, or their geographical origin: Africa or Asia? The play continues in much the same vein, although it gradually loses its comic edge in favor of the dramatic, even the tragic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n