How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue. We used Donald M. Allen's translation.
Quote #4
Old Man [to the invisible Lady]: "Yes, you're quite right..."
Old Woman: "Yes, yes, yes...Oh! surely not."
Old Man: "Yes, yes, yes. Not at all."
Old Woman: "Yes?"
Old Man: "No!?" (169-173)
The fact that we can't hear what the invisible Lady is saying seems to highlight the meaninglessness of small talk. When you only get one side of the conversation, you realize that it's really nothing but a string of nonsensical and contradictory yeses and nos. The trivial nature of everyday pleasantries was one of Ionesco's pet themes. Check out his play The Bald Soprano, for more exploration of this. When we hear dialogue like this, we're forced to ask ourselves how often conversation is actually meaningful.
Quote #5
Old Woman: "All in all."
Old Man: "To ours and to theirs."
Old Woman: "So that."
Old Man: "From me to him."
Old Woman: "Him, or her?"
. . .
Old Woman: "Why?"
Old Man: "Yes."
Old Woman: "I."
Old Man: "All in all."
Old Woman: "All in all." (276-288)
At this point the conversation with the invisible guests becomes totally nonsensical, making us ask again if anybody is really communicating at all. Don't think, though, that Ionesco was just carelessly throwing words on the page. Look carefully at these sorts of passages as you read the play. Why do you think the Old Man and Woman keep saying "all in all"? What could this be referencing? Life? Death? Everybody? Everything?
Quote #6
Old Man: "May I introduce you...Allow me to introduce you...permit me to introduce you...Mr., Mrs., Miss...Mr....Mrs....Mrs....Mr." (315)
Notice how the Old Man introduces the guests without even using any names. This makes us think of almost every party we've ever been to. You know, you get introduced to tons of people but only remember a couple of names. Does anybody ever truly listen to one another?