Football fans know exactly who fumbled the ball, called a play wrong, or didn’t wear their lucky socks to lose the game. Politicians know which other politicians are responsible for things like global warming and poverty. Moms almost want us to forget Mother’s Day so they can give us a guilt-trip. (Just kidding, Mom!)
So sure, we all blame others for our own problems from time to time. We feel the need to assign responsibility. If we can’t blame others, we’re busy blaming ourselves and feeling guilty over things we maybe didn’t even have control over. In the play, Ionesco toys with the idea of people getting so wrapped up in who’s responsible for what that they get away with not taking any real responsibility for their actions.
Questions About Guilt and Blame
- Why does Berenger think it is his fault that Jean turned into a rhinoceros?
- Whom does Berenger blame for Dudard’s decision to turn into a rhinoceros, and how does that response differ from his reaction to Jean’s transformation?
- How do blame and guilt affect the collapse of Berenger and Daisy’s relationship?
- Is anyone actually to blame for the rhinoceros “epidemic”?
Chew on This
Berenger feels guilty for much of what happens in the play. Being drunk, being late, especially being best friends with a dude who goes rhino. Is his ability to feel guilt something that makes him truly human? Is this something that separates him from the others?
On the flip side, do you blame Daisy, Dudard, and the others for making the decision they made? Do you think their choice to join the rhinoceroses was justified?