How we cite our quotes: Act.Scene.Line
Quote #7
BERENGER: He couldn’t have done it on purpose. I’m sure it must have been involuntary. (3.1.376-377)
Our boy Berenger is a bit of a waffler (mmmm, waffles). One minute he seems to be on board with the whole free will thing. But then if someone has changed who he never thought would change, it’s got to be involuntary. If it is free will, then everyone around him has gone totally mad, as far as he’s concerned.
Quote #8
DUDARD: If he was a genuine thinker, as you say, he couldn’t have gotten carried away. He must have weighed all the pros and cons before deciding. (3.1.562-564)
Again, think about what Ionesco is tackling on the grand scale. Dudard’s argument then is that the hysteria in places like Nazi Germany is not simply based on passion and emotion. There are some people who approach it intellectually, and decide the “reasonable” choice to make is to join up with the masses, even if the masses are screaming for dictatorship and violence.
Quote #9
BERENGER: I still would have thought Mr. Papillon would have had the strength to resist. I thought he had a bit more character! (3.1.392-394)
Yes, the old “never woulda thunk it” again. Think of it as highlighting how at the beginning of the show, Berenger was the one whose character was in question and whose lack of will power was mocked. And now he’s one of the last ones standing!