The Maids

Solange is a maid in her early 30s, and she is Claire’s older sister. She is consumed with self-disgust, which she blames on Madame, and preoccupied with hatred for dirt and filth. The first part of her name is the word sol, which translates as “dirt” or “soil” in French. Solange repeatedly refers to herself and her sister as disgusting and filthy, and her name suggests that Solange’s filthiness is something that has been inevitable and inescapable since birth. As a maid, Solange’s endless task is to clean up filth that always returns to be cleaned again. Although Solange and Claire are intricately tied to each other and often trade traits and dominance, Solange is overall angrier and wiser than her sister. Solange also believes that she deserves hatred and punishment. In both instances of the roleplaying ritual, Solange takes on the role of Claire rather than playing herself, even though she is a maid too. By becoming Claire, Solange both exposes her sister to Madame’s punishment and abuse and protects her from that abuse by taking it for her.