THE rhinoceros

"The world was damaged and searching for answers," (Hayman 102).

The Rhinoceros

Eugene Ionesco

Summary of the Text

Rhinoceros: Film Version

"Watching his anti-fascist friends go through the process of conversion to fascism was deeply disturbing, if not traumatic, experience. It took them between three weeks and two months to become enmeshed in the system. Sometimes he could see the change in them without a word being spoken," (Hayman 101).

"People who try to hang on to their individuality always come to bad end!" (Ionesco 107)

The Film

• directed by Tim O'Horgon
• released in 1974
• featured the duo of Jean Wilder & Zero Mostel (Berenger and Jean), who previously appeared in Mel Brook's Producers
• Americanized Ionesco's play by changing names, setting, and cultural references

1970s: Historical Context

Trailer

Historical Context

Collectivism

(Univeristy of Albany)

• early 1970s highly influenced by social unrest and cultural revolution of the 1960s
• dream of creating American ideal lost, as well as hope in nonviolence/peaceful protests
• marks the end of postwar economic prosperity, liberal conformity faded as a result
• radicals, hippies, & the New Left merged into general discontenment in nation as a whole

Collectivism- The practice of principle of giving a group priority over each individual in it

Thesis

Individualism

In the Film: US Culture

• authority/society no longer seen as oppressive force of individualism
• individual still emphasized, but in terms of self-development and narcissism
• white public focused less on human rights for minorities and the oppressed, began to stress personal self-development and achievement

In Rhinoceros, Eugene Ionesco uses Theatre of the Absurd to create an argument about collectivism in Europe. In O'Horgon's film adaption,he instead combines absurdism with American culture to highlight a more corporate conformity in the US.

Theatre of Absurd

(Academia edu)

• O'Horgon's adaptation sets Rhinoceros in 1970s America
• Characters names are changed to John (Jean), Stanley (Berenger), etc.
• Clothing choices of characters reflect cultural changes: looser garments, bigger hair, women in pants
• scenery displays skyscrapers and modern architecture
• poster in Stanley's bedroom a quote from Janis Joplan: icon of the 1960s/early 1970s time period

Analysis

Highly Archetypal Characters Change

Comedy Meets Absurd

Highly Archetypal Characters

Berenger:"Well at any rate, we have our own moral standards which I consider incompatible with the standards of these animals," (Ionesco 67).

Berenger:I'll put p a fight against the lot of them,the whole lot of them!" (Ionesco 107).

Jean: "We've got to build our life on new foundations. We must get back to primal integrity." (Ioensco 67).

Daisy: "You must be calm and more sure of yourself, now," (Ionesco 95).

• Beregner: "I can't get used to it. I just can't get used to life," (Ionesco 6).
• Jean: "I think with all due modesty I may say I'm better. The superior man is the man who fulfills his duty," (Ionesco 7).
• Daisy: "Everybody is chivalrous to Miss Daisy, it's very understandable," (Ionesco 43).

1. Highly Archetypal Characters

2. Ironic dialogue and pleasantries

3. Symbolism of Man to Rhinoceros Transformation

• O'Horgon uses features of American slapstick comedy throughout the film
• Stanley's name could be reference to Stan Laurel of Laurel & Hardy, famous comedy duet
• use of this familiar comedy appeals more directly to American audience, implies further meaning

Symbols

"The possibility of disorder, hence ultimately of absurdity, therefore lies nearer at hand in the drama, in our routine acceptance of disparity or defect," (Benett 140).

(NY Times Movie Review-1974)

Rhinoceros Today

Rhinoceros Today

Man to Rhinoceros Transformation

Modern Architecture

"You better not compromise yourself. It's all you got." - Janis Joplin

• "Botard: Your Rhinoceros is a myth!" (Ionesco 44)
• "Jean: After all, rhinoceroses are living creatures the same as us; they've got as much right to life as we have!" (Ionesco 66)
• "Berenger: Are you suggesting we replace our moral laws by the law of the jungle? Jean: It would suit me, suit me fine," (Ionesco 67).
• "Jean: I said what's wrong with being a rhinoceros? I'm all for change," (Ionesco 68).
• "Daisy: They're like god's," (Ionesco 104).

Ironic Dialogue and Pleasantries

• O'Horgon's use of symbols call into question ideas of conformity and individuality
• Rhinoceros in film represent submission to societal norms
• Everyone but Stanley conforms, must question himself in mirror: "what a funny looking thing"
• Daisy & Others abandon previous human philosophy: "maybe we're the abnormal ones"

1."How do you know that one of the two rhinoceroses has one horn and the other two? And Which is which?" (Ionesco 33).

2. "It's demolished the staircase- and food thing too. When you think how long I've been asking the management to install stone steps n place of that worm-eaten old staircase," (Ionesco 49).

• O'Horgon's Stanley does not appear too radical in dress or action in present day
• However, reflects true individuality amidst a society afraid of standing out
• Today, Stanley still stands out for devaluing material success and achievement and conforming to norms

• "Bandwagon" Jumping
• Racism/Xenophobia
• Tea Party: 24-48% in support nation wide
• Kony 2012
• ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
• Social Media Blitz

Man to Rhinoceros Transformation

"Modern tragedy does not come back from where we waited it, where we were looking for it–in the world of heroes and gods–but from the opposite side, as it is in comic where it finds its origin and especially in the inferior form of comic: parody, farce, irony," (Koulandrou 2).

"I was talking to him. He was still a mad. Suddenly under my eyes I saw his skin hardening and thickening fearfully. His gloves, his shoes, become hooves; his hands become paws. A horn grow on his forehead, he becomes fierce, he changes furiously. He no longer knows how to talk. He is becoming a rhinoceros. All of a sudden. I wish I could do the same. But me, I can't."

- Eugene Ionesco

(Hayman 102)

O'Horgon points out society's tendency to adapt to political and social movements, losing true individuality

"People who try to hang on to their individuality always come to a bad end."