Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Rhinoceros, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Absurdity, Logic, and Intellectualism
Fascism
Individuality vs. Conformity
Escapism, Violence, and Morality
Summary
Analysis
Jean lies in bed in his darkened bedroom, coughing. He doesn’t answer when someone knocks. Berenger calls for Jean, but Jean doesn’t recognize his voice until Berenger announces himself. Jean looks to be in a horrible temper as he gets up, unlocks the door, and then crawls back into bed before allowing Berenger inside. Both are surprised that the other isn’t at work, and they remark that they didn’t recognize the other’s voice. At Jean’s invitation, Berenger sits. Berenger apologizes for getting upset yesterday. Jean doesn’t remember what Berenger is talking about until Berenger mentions the two “wretched” rhinoceroses. Jean asks how Berenger knows they’re wretched, but Berenger mumbles that he just said that. They decide to not talk about it.
When Jean and Berenger don’t recognize each other’s voices, it indicates that people are beginning to turn against each other and not recognize each other as the rhinoceroses take hold. Jean’s desire to know how Berenger decided that the rhinoceroses are wretched suggests that he’s beginning to take his intellectualism too far—it’s not important whether the rhinoceroses are truly wretched or not; they’re wretched to Berenger because they incited a fight between him and Jean.
Themes
Berenger apologizes for being so obstinate, angry, and stupid. Jean says it’s not surprising that Berenger acted that way. He coughs and says he doesn’t feel well. Berenger plays with resistance bands and says that they were both right: people have proven that there are some rhinoceroses with one horn and some with two He apologizes for bringing them up again and accidentally breaks a band. Jean says that he told Berenger as much and suggests that it’s too bad, and then that maybe it’s good. Berenger insists that it doesn’t really matter if the rhinoceroses are African or Asian, but Jean sits up before Berenger can finish and say what’s actually important.
Presumably, what’s important to Berenger is repairing his relationship with Jean—an indicator that Berenger is a kind person who cares about his friendships, while Jean’s rudeness and insistence on being right even now suggests that he’s nowhere near as kind. Notably, Berenger admits that the argument over the rhinoceros species isn’t actually important, but his inability to say what is important shows that the argument is still getting in the way of what is important.
Themes
Jean faces Berenger and says he doesn’t feel well, but he doesn’t know what’s wrong. Berenger asks if Jean feels weak. At this, Jean gets up, starts doing push-ups, and says that he feels full of energy. Berenger awkwardly says that everyone experiences moments of weakness and unsuccessfully tries to join Jean in doing push-ups. He suggests that Jean is too healthy and that too much energy can unsettle one’s nervous system. Jean declares that his nervous system is working perfectly in a hoarse and gravelly voice.
This is an unsettling sequence for Berenger, as he sees his friend doing, for the most part, exactly what Jean encourages Berenger to do: work out, be healthy, and be energetic. Clearly, however, something is wrong with Jean since he went from coughing and ill in bed to performing push-ups with an oddly gravelly voice, but Jean’s inability to see that he’s still ill suggests that he’s unaware of what’s coming.
Themes
Berenger suggests that Jean has a cold and asks if he has a fever. Jean stops mid-push-up to check his forehead and says that his head hurts. Berenger suspects a migraine and offers to leave. Jean asks Berenger to stay, and Berenger notes that Jean’s voice is hoarse. Jean begins to perform squats and says that he’s not hoarse; Berenger’s voice changed. Berenger plays along and says he didn’t notice, but it’s possible. Jean wonders if Berenger can notice anything. He holds his head for a moment and says that he must have hit it. He must’ve done so in his sleep since doesn’t remember hitting it, but when Berenger suggests that Jean dreamed it, Jean declares that he’s the master of his thoughts and always thinks straight. He lies on his back and performs cycling exercises.
Jean is beginning to transform into a rhinoceros, which the play begins to reveal is a consequence of conformity by showing that Jean, who conforms, isn’t exempt from this transformation. Notably, Jean insists that he’s fully in control, which opens up the possibility that transforming is something that people do on purpose—though again, it’s unclear if Jean knows what’s happening to him. This indicates that buying into an ideology like fascism requires a person to feel in control but in reality, to cede control to the ideology instead.
Themes
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Berenger assures Jean that he knows that Jean always thinks straight, but Jean remains offended. He tells Berenger to make himself clear and stop making rude observations. Berenger approaches Jean and notes that it often feels like he’s bumped his head when he has a headache, but if Jean has bumped himself, he’d have a lump. Berenger studies Jean’s forehead and says that there is a bump above his nose. Jean, offended, says that his family never has bumps. Jean feels his head and then runs to the bathroom to look. Berenger tidies the bed and when Jean returns, he remarks that Jean looks unwell and green. This offends Jean even more.
Jean is clearly the one changing into a rhinoceros, but he’s not actually speaking to Berenger in a way that’s markedly different from how they spoke in the first act. This begins to suggest that someone like Jean is already at risk of being taken in by harmful ideologies and fascism—he already knows how to unbalance others to make himself look perfectly balanced, even when he’s obviously not.
Themes
Berenger apologizes for upsetting Jean as Jean, panting, looks through a first aid box. Noticing that Jean is panting and very hoarse, Berenger asks if Jean’s throat hurts and suggests he has quinsy (tonsillitis). This again incenses Jean. Berenger takes Jean’s arm to feel his pulse and declares that it’s normal, so there’s no reason to worry. Jean says that he’s not alarmed and Berenger encourages him to rest. At this, Jean says he doesn’t have time and needs to buy food. Realizing that he’s barefoot, he grabs his socks and shoes and begins to put them on. Berenger insists that if Jean is hungry he can’t be too sick, but it’d be best to rest. He sits next to Jean on the bed and asks if Jean has seen a doctor.
While it’s entirely understandable for Berenger to want to continue suggesting ailments to Jean, doing so ignores the clear fact that Jean is ill and turning into a rhinoceros. In other words, this allows Berenger to ignore the truth of what’s in front of him by trying to make Jean’s behavior and symptoms look like anything else. In doing this, Berenger shows how it can be easy to excuse a loved one when they get taken in by harmful ideologies, something that Ionesco surely saw in the years leading up to World War II.
Themes
Jean says he doesn’t need a doctor; he can look after himself and doctors just invent diseases. Berenger points out that after doctors invent diseases they can cure them, but Jean spits that he has confidence in veterinarians. Berenger again takes Jean’s arm and notes that his veins are popping. Jean insists that this is a sign of virility. Berenger soothingly plays along but tries to examine Jean’s arm more closely. Jean yanks it away and, scandalized, says that Berenger is treating him like an animal. Berenger says that Jean’s skin seems to be getting greener and is hardening. Jean gets up and says that Berenger is getting on his nerves. Berenger takes a moment and then moves to the phone to call the doctor, but Jean pushes him away, tells him to mind his own business, and laughs.
As Jean discredits doctors, it mirrors how, as fascist movements take over and become fascist regimes, they work hard to discredit authority figures that in theory should be impartial and not support the regime. Further, Jean’s insistence that what’s happening to him is a good thing shows how a person must assure themselves that fascism or other harmful ideologies are a good thing and are helping if they want to continue.
Themes
Berenger notes that Jean is breathing hard. Jean paces around the room, picks up a magazine, and eats a page as he spits that Berenger is breathing so quietly, he might die. Berenger tells Jean to stop and reminds him that they’re friends, but Jean menacingly circles Berenger and says he doesn’t believe in his friendship. Jean spits that Berenger shouldn’t be offended by this and continues to pace. Berenger comments that Jean is quite “misanthropic” today, but Jean only agrees and says he likes it. He scratches his back and Berenger tries to help. Berenger again tries to apologize for their argument about the rhinoceros, but Jean ignores Berenger and says that he doesn’t hate people—they just disgust him and if they don’t stay out of his way, he’ll run them down. Berenger has to step aside to stay out of Jean’s way.
While Jean’s earlier insistence that he’s strong and is just feeling odd may have seemed relatively benign, at this point he shifts to behaving truly oddly (eating the magazine) and behaving violently, which makes it clear that what’s happening to him isn’t a good thing. This is especially true since he’s behaving violently toward Berenger, who’s supposedly one of his best friends. Berenger’s reminders of their friendship is an attempt to get Jean to remember that friendship, loyalty, and kindness are good things, while violence and the rhinoceroses are bad.
Themes
Hoarsely, Jean says that he’s running straight for his one aim in life. Berenger comforts him and says that this is just a brief moral crisis, but Jean ignores him, unbuttons his pajama shirt, and says that his clothes are irritating. Alarmed, Berenger asks what’s wrong with Jean’s skin, but this only makes Jean angrier. Berenger notes that Jean’s skin is leathery and even greener. Jean insists that it’s weatherproof and that Berenger is just seeing things since he’s drunk. Berenger insists that he didn’t drink today, since he promised to reform. Jean continues to pace and says “Brrr!” Berenger stares at him, perplexed, and Jean says he felt like saying that.
Here, Berenger pays again for not fitting in when Jean insists that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about on account of being an alcoholic. The attempt to convince Jean that this is a “brief moral crisis” allows Berenger to try to tell himself that this is a passing phase, rather than an irreversible shift in who Jean is—suggesting that those who ended up supporting fascist regimes don’t necessarily flirt with such ideas “brief[ly],” either.
Themes
Berenger tells Jean that Mr. Bœuf turned into a rhinoceros. Jean fans himself with his open pajama shirt and again shouts “Brrr.” Berenger tries to get Jean to stop, but Jean angrily insists that he can do what he wants in his own house. Berenger backs down and Jean races to the bathroom to cool off. Berenger can hear Jean puffing and saying “Brrr,” so he decides to call the doctor. Jean laughs that Mr. Bœuf was just in disguise and pokes his head out the door. He now is entirely green and has a large bump on his nose. Berenger hurriedly hangs up the phone and says that Mr. Bœuf looked quite serious. Jean insists that it’s Mr. Bœuf’s business.
Jean begins to make the case here that it’s up to every individual to choose how they act when it comes to accepting or embracing violent ideologies. In contrast, Berenger argues through his actions to help Jean that it’s up to society at large to stop fascism and the like from spreading—in this case, by calling the doctor and getting help for those who fall into it, whatever form that help might take.
Themes
Berenger muses that Mr. Bœuf couldn’t have changed on purpose, but from the bathroom, Jean says that Mr. Bœuf might’ve done it on purpose. Berenger notes that Mrs. Bœuf had no idea, but Jean laughs at Mrs. Bœuf’s expense and marches back to the bedroom, shirtless and green. Jean crows that Mr. Bœuf didn’t include his wife in his decision, but Berenger says that the Bœufs were a united family. Jean mocks this and runs back to the bathroom. He shouts that Mr. Bœuf had a secret private life. Berenger says that they don’t have to talk since this seems upsetting, but Jean insists that talking relaxes him. Berenger asks to call the doctor, but Jean forbids it.
As Berenger sees it, normal, respected, and rational people don’t choose to become rhinoceroses (or fascists)—they must be tricked or somehow talked into giving up their humanity. This, however, is a consequence of Berenger’s individuality, something that the other characters don’t share with him. Berenger would need to be convinced to become a rhinoceros, while the play shows that his friends and coworkers are far more susceptible to becoming rhinoceroses because they already habitually conform.
Themes
Jean returns from the bathroom. He throws his pajama shirt on the bed and with difficulty, says hoarsely that no matter if Mr. Bœuf changed on purpose or not, he’s probably better for it. He begins opening drawers and throwing his clothes on the floor. Berenger is shocked and picks up the clothes. Jean accuses Berenger of seeing the dark side of everything and insists that there must’ve been something pleasurable about turning into a rhinoceros. Berenger puts the clothes on the bed and says that he’s certain that Mr. Bœuf didn’t enjoy turning into a rhinoceros. He knows this because it’s something he feels.
Jean implies here that the violence and the darkness that the rhinoceroses represent are things that are present but hidden in all people, and becoming a rhinoceros represents embracing this dark side. This also paints turning into a rhinoceros as a form of escapism, given that it might be pleasurable. Berenger’s shock indicates that he’s still optimistic about the human race and sees that in general, people aren’t horrible.
Themes
As he scratches his back on the corner of the dresser, Jean says it’s not so bad—rhinoceroses have the same right to life as humans do. Berenger agrees but points out that rhinoceroses still shouldn’t destroy people. Jean races to the window, forcing Berenger to jump out of the way, and asks if Berenger thinks that humans’ way of life is superior. Berenger insists that humans have moral standards, which often don’t line up with animals’ standards. Jean sweeps books off a table and declares that he’s sick of moral standards and humans need to move beyond them. When Berenger asks what Jean would have instead, Jean runs around and says that he’d have nature. Berenger is aghast that Jean wants to replace moral laws with “the law of the jungle,” but Jean says he’d love it. He knocks a table over.
Berenger has a point here—the animal world can be violent and cruel in a way that humans’ moral standards often don’t allow for. When Jean says that he’d rather have the natural “law of the jungle” than the laws and morals that humans created, it shows that as he grows closer and closer to becoming a rhinoceros (and symbolically, closer to becoming a fascist), he gradually loses his humanity, his sense of right and wrong, and his belief that people deserve to live happy and safe lives—even from rhinoceroses.
Themes
Berenger starts to say something, but Jean leaps onto the bed, cuts him off, and says that they must build their lives on new foundations of “primeval integrity.” Berenger disagrees. Jean continues to move around the room and says he can’t breathe. As he fixes the table and the books, Berenger gently says that Jean has to admit that humans have spent centuries coming up with philosophy and values. Jean runs to the bathroom and declares that when those values are gone, they’ll all be better off. Berenger declares that this is a joke, but Jean trumpets from the bathroom. Berenger insists that he knows that Jean believes in humankind, but Jean says he doesn’t want to talk about humankind. Berenger implores him to think of humanism, but Jean shouts that humanism is washed up and that Berenger is being sentimental.
Especially when Jean accuses Berenger of being sentimental, it shows that Jean believes that becoming a rhinoceros (and symbolically becoming a fascist) is the way of the future—there’s no escaping it and there’s no reason to refuse or stand up against it. This is, again, because Jean prides himself so much on conformity, and standing up against this disease would represent a major shift to being individualistic—which, though something the play celebrates, is still something it suggests is very hard.
Themes
Berenger moves to stand outside the bathroom door as Jean continues to say in a barely intelligible voice that Berenger is talking nonsense. Berenger incredulously asks if Jean wants to be a rhinoceros, but from inside the bathroom, Jean says he wouldn’t mind—he’s not prejudiced like Berenger. Jean says that he’s all for change. Berenger says that it’s not like Jean to talk like that, but he stops short when Jean returns from the bathroom. Jean is entirely green and there’s a rhinoceros horn on his forehead. Jean leaps onto the bed on all fours, musses the covers, and makes odd noises. He says that he’s too hot and everything itches as he rips his socks off. Jean shouts for the swamps as Berenger asks if Jean can hear him. Jean says he can hear Berenger just fine and charges at him, head down.
Insisting that Berenger is the one who is prejudiced is the final shift for Jean before actually becoming a rhinoceros, as it shows that he now believes that he’s in the right and Berenger, the individualist and the voice of reason, is just a squeaky wheel in his way. When Berenger asks if Jean can hear him, it reinforces how barely human Jean is at this point because of his acceptance of the violence that rhinoceroses (and, symbolically, fascism) represent—a point made even clearer when he charges violently at Berenger.
Themes
Berenger leaps aside and Jean apologizes, but then charges into the bathroom. Berenger starts to run away but decides that he can’t leave his friend. He goes into the bathroom and says that he’s going to call the doctor. Jean refuses, but Berenger’s attempts to calm him down fail when Jean fully turns into a rhinoceros. Jean threatens to run Berenger down and Berenger staggers out of the bathroom and slams the door. He shouts that he never would’ve thought that Jean would turn into a rhinoceros and shouts for help. A rhinoceros horn pierces the door. Outside, Berenger can see a herd of rhinoceroses and says it must not be true that the creatures are solitary. He sees them smashing benches as a rhinoceros head bursts through the window and Jean smashes down the bathroom door. Berenger runs from the rhinoceroses, screaming.
Berenger’s attempt to stay with Jean and calm him down because they’re friends is one of the most heroic moments of the play—and importantly, it shows that Berenger is still an extremely moral and kind person who wants desperately to help those around him, no matter his personal faults or struggles. In other words, it doesn’t matter if Berenger is an alcoholic, since he still shows that he’s more human and has stronger morals than Jean does. His musings about the other rhinoceroses, however, shows that he’d still like to rationalize what’s happening, but it won’t be successful or, for that matter, useful.
Themes
