L’Aveu
(The Confession) – 1946
by
Arthur Adamov
(List of Characters)
The
play does not present a traditional, fixed cast of fully developed characters.
Instead, its figures are fluid, often symbolic, and sometimes unnamed,
reflecting the protagonist’s unstable mental state.
The
Protagonist (The Man / The Accused)
The
central figure of the play. He is a deeply troubled individual overwhelmed by
guilt and confusion. Much of the action revolves around his psychological
struggle as he tries to understand—and eventually accept—the crime he is
accused of, even though it remains unclear.
The
Interrogators / Authority Figures
A
group of figures who question, pressure, and guide the protagonist toward
confession. They may appear as officials, judges, or examiners, but they are
not clearly defined. Symbolically, they represent authority, judgment, and
psychological coercion. At times, they seem external; at others, they feel like
projections of the protagonist’s own mind.
Voices
/ Unseen Presences
Disembodied
or less clearly visible figures who contribute to the atmosphere of tension and
unease. These voices may echo accusations, reinforce guilt, or deepen the
protagonist’s confusion. They often blur the line between reality and
imagination.
Secondary
Figures (Shifting Roles)
Occasionally,
other figures may appear, but they are not stable or individualized characters.
They may take on different roles or identities depending on the scene. Their
primary function is symbolic—supporting the themes of judgment, memory, and
inner conflict rather than advancing a conventional plot.
Collective
or Abstract Presence
At
times, the play suggests a broader, almost invisible presence—society, system,
or conscience itself—that surrounds and pressures the protagonist. Though not a
character in the traditional sense, this presence is crucial to the unfolding
drama, as it reinforces the sense of inescapable scrutiny.
In
essence, the “characters” in L’Aveu function less as individuals and more as
representations of psychological forces, making the play feel like a
dramatization of the protagonist’s inner world rather than a conventional
social interaction.
 – 1946 by Arthur Adamov (List of Characters)){kind=link}
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