The
Blacks (Les Nègres, 1959)
by
Jean Genet
(List
of Characters)
List
of Characters: The Blacks by Jean Genet
Jean
Genet’s The Blacks features a fluid and symbolic cast rather than strictly
realistic characters. Many roles are performed within the “play within the
play,” and identities often shift. The characters can broadly be divided into
two groups: Black performers and the masked representations of white authority.
Major
Black Characters (Performers)
Archibald
– The master of ceremonies; a commanding figure who directs the ritual
performance and maintains its structure.
Village
– The central female figure accused of murdering the white woman; her role is
layered with symbolism and defiance.
Diouf
– A restless and rebellious character who challenges the boundaries between
performance and real action.
Vertu
– Represents moral tension and participates in the ritual with emotional depth.
Félicité
– A complex figure, often embodying conflicting emotions within the
performance.
Ville
de Saint-Nazaire – A symbolic and somewhat abstract character, contributing to
the ritualistic tone.
Neige
– A younger figure, often representing innocence or emerging awareness.
Masked
“White” Characters (Played by Black Actors)
(These
are caricatured figures of colonial authority, performed through white masks.)
The
Queen – Symbol of ultimate authority and imperial power.
The
Judge – Represents the legal system and institutional justice.
The
Missionary – Embodies religious authority and moral imposition.
The
Governor – A figure of political and colonial control.
The
Valet – A servant figure who reflects class hierarchy within the white system.
Other
/ Symbolic Presences
The
Dead Black Leader – Not always physically present, but his execution influences
the action and symbolizes real political struggle.
The
White Woman (Victim) – Central to the ritual murder; more a symbol of colonial
purity and power than a fully developed character.
The
Implied White Audience – Though unseen, they are crucial to the play’s meaning,
representing the real-world observers and structures of power.
Note
on Characterization
In
The Blacks, characters are not fixed individuals but fluid roles. They
frequently shift identities, emphasizing Genet’s central idea that
identity—especially racial and social identity—is performed rather than
inherent.
 by Jean Genet (List of Characters)){kind=link}
0 Comments