Rhinoceros Theme of Transformation

Transformation isn’t just for cars that can change into robots. It can also be for people changing into rhinoceroses.

While transformation is often seen as a positive in the world—like transforming your metaphorical lemons into metaphorical lemonade, for example—that’s not necessarily the case in this play. Remember, the show basically starts with Jean trying to transform Berenger into something he’s not (a non-drunk), and then we see a succession of transformations that are not shown in the most positive light, to put it mildly. (Hey, how would you react to everyone you know going rhino?)

Transformation isn’t all bad in the play, though. Berenger does definitely change into a different person, and his engagement with the world around him is what makes him the hero of Rhinoceros in the end.

1. What’s the reaction when we learn that it’s people who are transforming into rhinoceroses?
2. Who is the last person to leave Berenger’s side to join the rhinoceroses? What’s different about this transformation process?
3. How are Dudard’s, Daisy’s, and Jean’s transformations different from each other? Why do you think Ionesco includes multiple transformations?
4. How is Berenger’s transformation into a better human different from the multiple transformations into rhinoceroses? (Yes, it’s pretty deep.)

Before Jean and Berenger fight in Act 1, Berenger seems committed to making changes in his life. The fight upsets him, though, and he decides to hold off on bettering himself. If he had taken this first step of transformation as he said he was going to, might he have been more likely to transform into a rhinoceros? In other words, does his initial weak will become strong will when the stakes are changed?

By using Jean, Dudard, and Daisy, Ionesco shows a physical transformation, an intellectual transformation, and a religious transformation. But despite the different rationales, each one ends with the same result. Through this, Ionesco is suggesting that all of these things (animal nature, rationalization, and religious zeal) can all lead us to follow the masses instead of remaining true to ourselves.