The
Maids (Les Bonnes, 1947)
by
Jean Genet
(List
of Characters)
List
of Characters in The Maids
The
Maids by Jean Genet is a tightly constructed play with a very small cast. Each
character plays a crucial symbolic and psychological role in the drama:
1.
Claire
One
of the two maid sisters, Claire is the more imaginative and emotionally intense
of the pair. She frequently takes on the role of Madame during their
ritualistic performances. Her desire to escape her identity as a servant leads
her deeper into illusion, ultimately culminating in her tragic end.
2.
Solange
Claire’s
sister and fellow maid, Solange is more forceful and outwardly assertive. She
often plays the role of the servant in their role-playing rituals but also
shifts identities. She harbors deep resentment toward Madame and acts as a
driving force behind their fantasies of rebellion and revenge.
3.
Madame
The
mistress of the house, Madame represents wealth, beauty, and social power.
Though she appears kind and affectionate toward her maids, she remains largely
unaware of their inner hatred. She functions more as a symbolic presence than a
fully developed character, embodying the class structure that dominates the
sisters’ lives.
4.
Monsieur (Madame’s Lover)
Though
never seen on stage, Monsieur plays an important offstage role. His
arrest—engineered anonymously by the maids—and later release influence the
emotional tension of the play. He represents Madame’s emotional world and
becomes a catalyst for the maids’ actions.
5.
The Milkman (Offstage Character)
A
minor figure mentioned in the play, the milkman exists only through reference.
He contributes to the sense of an external world beyond the apartment but has
no direct impact on the action.
6.
The Police (Offstage Presence)
Also
unseen, the police symbolize authority and societal control. Their involvement
in Monsieur’s arrest reflects the maids’ indirect attempt to disrupt Madame’s
life.
Note:
Although
the cast is small, the complexity of the play arises from the shifting
identities of Claire and Solange. At different moments, they become both
themselves and Madame, blurring the distinction between character and role,
reality and performance.
 by Jean Genet (List of Characters)){kind=link}
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