La Leçon

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"The Lesson", or "La Leçon", is a short, one-act play from 1951 by French-Romanian playwright, Eugène Ionesco. This play is one of his most notable works, as well as one of the most notable works in the history of the "Theatre of the Absurd" genre, of which Ionesco was a pioneer.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The play takes place in the office and dining room of a small French flat. The Professor, an elderly man of about 50 to 60, is expecting a new Pupil (aged 18). The third character is the professor's Maid, a stout, red-faced woman of about 40 to 50, who is always worrying about the Professor's "health". As the lesson progresses, the Professor grows more and more angry with the Pupil's ignorance, and the Pupil becomes more and more quiet and meek. At the climax of the play, the Pupil is murdered by the Professor, after a long bout of non-sequiturs (which are frequently used in Ionesco's plays). The play ends as a new pupil is greeted by the Maid.