logo

38 pages 1 hour read

The Lesson

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1951

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Essay Topics

1.

What are some commonalities among the conventions employed by the different playwrights in the Theatre of the Absurd movement? What makes The Lesson an absurdist play?

2.

Imagine that you are working on a contemporary production of The Lesson. How would you make the play relevant to audiences today? What parts of the play do you think might be problematic or have not aged well? What symbol would you put on the armband (or another item to similar effect)?

3.

Why do you think Ionesco specifies that the knife is imaginary? How does that create meaning? What difference do you think it makes in the play if the knife is a real prop?

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 38 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools