Key Facts
full title · The Chairs (in French, Les Chaises)
author · Eugène Ionesco
type of work · Drama
genre · Absurdist drama/comedy
language · French
time and place written · Paris, 1952
date of first production · Paris, April 22, 1952
publisher · Grove Press
narrator · No narrator; drama
climax · The climax occurs when the Old Man and Old Woman commit suicide, and the Orator unintelligibly attempts to deliver the message
protagonist · Old Man
antagonist · There is no direct antagonist, though the Old Man's inability to deliver his own message is his primary obstacle
setting (time) · Unclear and unimportant
setting (place) · A house on an island
point of view · As it is a play, there is no distinct point of view, but the audience empathizes with the Old Man
falling action · The invisible crowd makes noise after the Orator leaves
tense · Play; present tense
foreshadowing · The Old Woman warns the Old Man not to fall out of the window at the beginning of the play
tone · Absurdly comic, philosophical
themes · The repetitive present and inaccessible past; Responsibility and a meaningful life
motifs · Self-conscious theatricality
symbols · Semicircular stage
