The Killer (1957) by Eugène Ionesco (Key Facts)

 

The Killer (1957)

by Eugène Ionesco

(Key Facts) 

📘 Key Facts About The Killer

 

Full Title

The Killer (French: Tueur sans gages, meaning “The Killer Without Motive” or “The Killer Without Reward”)

 

Author

Eugène Ionesco

 

Type of Work

Full-length dramatic play (three acts)

 

Genre

Theatre of the Absurd; Tragicomedy; Philosophical Drama

 

Language

Originally written in French

 

Time and Place Written

Mid-1950s, France

 

Date of First Publication

1957

 

Publisher

First produced in Paris (published in French theatrical editions; associated with Parisian theatre publications of the period)

 

Tone

Ironic, unsettling, tragicomic, philosophical, and increasingly tense

 

Setting (Time)

Contemporary to the 1950s (modern post–World War II era)

 

Setting (Place)

A modern city, particularly the “Radiant City,” a planned utopian district within it

 

Protagonist

Bérenger

 

Major Conflict

Bérenger versus the Killer (symbolically: humanity versus irrational evil)

 

Rising Action

Bérenger discovers the Radiant City and learns about the mysterious murders. He becomes increasingly disturbed by the indifference of officials and residents.

 

Climax

Bérenger confronts the Killer directly and attempts to persuade him through moral reasoning and emotional appeal.

 

Falling Action

The Killer remains unmoved and silent. Bérenger realizes that reason and language cannot defeat motiveless evil.

 

🧠 Themes

Absurdity of existence

Irrational and motiveless evil

Illusion of progress and utopia

Isolation of the individual

Failure of language and communication

Moral responsibility versus social indifference

 

🔁 Motifs

Silence versus speech

Bureaucratic language

Routine and normalization

Light and brightness (Radiant City imagery)

Water (the lake where victims are drowned)

 

🔍 Symbols

The Radiant City – Illusion of human perfection and progress

The Killer – Irrational, inexplicable evil

The Lake/Water – Silent destruction beneath calm surfaces

Light/Radiance – False optimism; superficial enlightenment

Bérenger’s speeches – Humanity’s faith in reason

 

🌑 Foreshadowing

Early discussions of unease within the Radiant City hint that perfection is fragile.

Casual references to the murders prepare the audience for the inevitable confrontation.

The indifference of officials suggests in advance that Bérenger will stand alone.

The Killer’s silence throughout foreshadows the failure of persuasion at the climax.