Key Facts
full title ·
The Maids
author · Jean Genet
type of work · Drama
genre · Absurdist drama
language · Originally French as Les Bonnes
time and place written · France, late 1940s
date of first production · Paris, April 17, 1947
publisher · Grove Press
narrator · No narrator; drama
climax · The climax occurs when Claire drinks the poisoned tea
protagonist · Solange; Claire
antagonist · Madame
setting (time) · Modern day
setting (place) · The bedroom of a wealthy Madame
point of view · The audience empathizes equally with Solange and Claire, though it is Solange's literal visions that dominate at the end
falling action · Solange imagines Madame's reaction to her own death
tense · Play; present tense
foreshadowing · The sisters plot to kill Madame from the beginning
tone · Dream-like, tense, hostile
themes · Illusion as a reaction against authority; Otherness and whirligigs
motifs · Self-conscious theatricality; Filth
symbols · Red velvet dress
