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"When slaves love one another, it's not love."

Solange tells this to Claire after she says that she knows she disgusts Claire—since Claire disgusts her in Part Three. In The Genealogy of Morals, philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche developed his concept of "slave morality." He argued that the oppressed are always reactive, and their values are accordingly weaker, while the ruling class actively controls their destiny with stronger values. Genet confirms Nietzsche's controversial ideas in The Maids. Both Claire and Solange recognize that they are slaves to Madame and that true love between them is not possible. They are too filled with self- loathing, with fear, and with hatred for each other to have their love be a positive, strong value. While Solange, especially, shows maternal affection for Claire at points, it is only temporary and seems to be compensation for her many self-performed abortions.

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