34 pages • 1 hour read
Jean GenetThe Maids
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1947A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Maids by Jean Genet follows Solange and her sister Claire, maids who roleplay their wealthy employer, Madame, in her absence. Through elaborate rituals, they express their intense resentment and struggle with their subservient roles. Their complex relationship and suppressed rage culminate in a plan to poison Madame, showcasing the devastating effects of class inequality and internalized oppression.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Jean Genet's The Maids is praised for its psychological depth and complex exploration of identity and power dynamics, often drawing attention to its bold, provocative themes. However, some critics find the narrative challenging and its characters difficult to empathize with, noting that its abstract style may not appeal to everyone. Overall, it's lauded for its intense emotional and intellectual impact.
Who Should Read The Maids?
Fans of The Maids by Jean Genet tend to appreciate dark, introspective plays with themes of identity and power dynamics. Similar readers might enjoy works like No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre or Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee, which also explore intense psychological and existential conflicts.