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- Written by [http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Genet Jean Genet]
- First performed on April 17, 1947
- Originally written in French
- French title Les Bonnes
- First performance in Paris
- First published by Grove Press
- A one act play
- Based on the [http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papin_sisters Papin sisters]
- Set in 1930s
- Set in Madame's bedroom
- Major symbol is red velvet dress
- Film based on play stars [http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenda_Jackson Glenda Jackson], Susannah York, and Vivien Merchant
- Classified as both [http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absurdism Absurdism] and Theatre of Cruelty
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Jean Genet's play The Maids is based on the Papin sisters who murdered their employer and daughter in 1933.
Summary
The play begins in Madame's bedroom with the maid Claire chastising her sister and fellow maid Solange for taking rubber gloves out of the kitchen. As Solange helps Claire dress they continue to reenact their roles with Claire as the employer and Solange as the maid, however the reenactment turns to fantasy as Solange insults Claire in a way she does not when she is the maid to Madame.Claire asks Solange to remember Madame's kindness, but Solange feels that she and Claire are treated as filth. As the tension between them mounts and fear of getting caught continues, Solange realizes that Claire does not respect her and insists it is her turn to play the employer and Claire's turn to play the maid. Solange pretends to murder Claire as Madame followed shortly afterwards by Claire's suicide by poisoned tea.
Significance
The play caused a scandal in Paris when it was first performed for its harsh portrayal of conflicts between the upper and working classes, the questioning of femininity and the appropriate role of women proved almost as controversial. The sisters represent otherness or those who are different in opposition to the status quo which proved threatening to those who liked the status quo.-
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The Maids on Amazon
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Maid in Manhattan - $14.94
Marisa Ventura (Jennifer Lopez) is a struggling single mom who works at a posh Manhattan hotel and dreams of a better life for her and her young son (Tyler Posey). One fateful day ...Amazon
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OLD MAID CARD GAME by eeBoo - $7.95
GENERAL FEATURES: eeBoo has proudly commissioned artwork from the best children's book illustrators to make these wonderful versions of our favorite classic card games. Hours of fu...Amazon
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Old Maid's Puzzle: A Quilting Mystery (Quilting Mysteries) - $13.95
Thirty-year-old techie Dewey Pellicano is trying to make a go of Quilter Paradiso, the quilt shop she inherited from her mother. But she's facing a patchwork of problems—fierce com...Amazon
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Strapless French Maid Mini Dress Sexy Adult Halloween Costume Skimpy Naughty Outfit - $110.00
Super Sexy Maid Outfit This Item Includes Mini Dress with Built-In Petticoat and Feather Duster!{{RomaSizes}}Amazon
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The Maids Questions
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What is a "bang maid," and where did this phrase originate? 2 AnswersBang Maid: A woman who cooks and cleans up and will do everything you say. And you get to bang her too. Origin: FX comedy series "It's Always Sunny in Philadel... read more -
When throwing a Bachelorette party, who pays for it? 7 AnswersTypically, the guests all chip in to cover the cost of the bachelorette party. According to brides.com section on wedding showers and parties etiquette, the bac... read more -
Whatever happened to Minute Maid Citrus Punch? 1 AnswerHere is the website for that product; http://www.minutemaid.com/products/Lemonades_and_Punches/CitrusPunch.jsp read more
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Jean Genet's play The Maids is based on the Papin sisters who murdered their employer and daughter in 1933.
Summary
</small> The play begins in Madame's bedroom with the maid Claire chastising her sister and fellow maid Solange for taking rubber gloves out of the kitchen. As Solange helps Claire dress they continue to reenact their roles with Claire as the employer and Solange as the maid, however the reenactment turns to fantasy as Solange insults Claire in a way she does not when she is the maid to Madame.Claire asks Solange to remember Madame's kindness, but Solange feels that she and Claire are treated as filth. As the tension between them mounts and fear of getting caught continues, Solange realizes that Claire does not respect her and insists it is her turn to play the employer and Claire's turn to play the maid. Solange pretends to murder Claire as Madame followed shortly afterwards by Claire's suicide by poisoned tea.
Significance
</small> The play caused a scandal in Paris when it was first performed for its harsh portrayal of conflicts between the upper and working classes, the questioning of femininity and the appropriate role of women proved almost as controversial. The sisters represent otherness or those who are different in opposition to the status quo which proved threatening to those who liked the status quo.Fast Facts
- Written by Jean Genet
- First performed on April 17, 1947
- Originally written in French
- French title Les Bonnes
- First performance in Paris
- First published by Grove Press
- A one act play
- Based on the Papin sisters
- Set in 1930s
- Set in Madame's bedroom
- Major symbol is red velvet dress
- Film based on play stars Glenda Jackson, Susannah York, and Vivien Merchant
- Classified as both Absurdism and Theatre of Cruelty
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On Twitter Powered by Twitter
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3 stupid maids stand in front of the lift doesnt want to go in and when the door closes, they SHOUT. how dumb is that.
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the last time i was this sad was when the hotel maids in Arizona somehow stole my favorite stuffed animal Hop Hop when i was 7
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@dmilescollins ...fun enough there's a bottle of wine & seagrams 7 still in the room...maids are getting a nice kick back
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Meter maids, what a smart idea to send sexy ladies in bikinis around the gold coast forking out change to parking meters. We're classy.
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omg family guy got me dying lol...why the maid gotta be hispanic named Consela lol #cmonson we all not maids
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