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    The Chairs

    Eugène Ionesco

    Study Guide
    • Study Guide
    • Summary
      • Summary & Analysis
      • Part One: Beginning until end of story
      • Part Two: From end of man's story until the second guest
      • Part Three: From after second guest arrives until the room is filled
      • Part Four: From the Emperor's entrance until the end
      • Full Book
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      • Character List
      • Old Man
      • Old Woman
      • Orator
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      • Part One: Beginning until end of story
      • Part Two: From end of man's story until the second guest
      • Part Three: From after second guest arrives until the room is filled
      • Part Four: From the Emperor's entrance until the end
        • More
        • Context
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          • Eugène Ionesco and The Chairs Background

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        Characters

        Character List

        Characters Character List
        • Old Man

          The protagonist of the play. The Old Man has been married to the Old Woman for seventy-five years, and entertains her nightly with the same story and imitations he has always done. Living on the island, he spends his time with a few hobbies, but mostly devotes himself to his "message" with which he will save humanity.

          Read an in-depth analysis of Old Man .

        • Old Woman

          Has been married to the Old Man for seventy-five years. On the island, her only entertainment is listening to her husband's stories and imitations, which she keeps fresh by erasing her memory nightly. She often reminds her husband of what jobs he could have had, and frequently plays the role of the Old Man's surrogate mother.

          Read an in-depth analysis of Old Woman .

        • Orator

          Since the Old Man cannot express himself well, the Orator—who looks like a pompous 19th-century artist—is scheduled to deliver the Old Man's message. He has an actor's regal bearing and hands out autographs.

          Read an in-depth analysis of Orator .

        • Emperor

          The most esteemed invisible guest the Old Man welcomes. The Emperor is bathed in light, and the Old Man and Old Woman defer to him at all times.

        • Belle

          The invisible former lover of the Old Man, and the current wife of the Photo-engraver. The Old Man reminisces with Belle about their romantic past and appears to hold on to what could have been.

        • Photo-engraver

          The husband of Belle. He gives the Old Woman a painting when they arrive, and she is much taken with him, flirting with overt sexuality.

        • Lady

          The invisible first guest of the Old Man and Old Woman. They engage in casual conversation with Lady.

        • Colonel

          The second invisible guest, a famous soldier. The Old Woman rebukes him for spilling his cigarettes on the floor, though she is also taken with his grandness, as is the Old Man with his prestige.

        • Newspapermen and other guests

          The newspapermen and other guests arrive at the end. They are all eager to hear the Orator deliver the Old Man's message.

        Next section Old Man
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        Popular pages: The Chairs

        • Old Man: Character Analysis CHARACTERS

        • Important Quotations Explained QUOTES

        • Themes LITERARY DEVICES

        • Review Quiz FURTHER STUDY

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        • QUIZ: Is This a Taylor Swift Lyric or a Quote by Edgar Allan Poe?

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