Genre
Comedic play
Language
French, translated to English
Setting and Context
Paris apartments
Narrator and Point of View
Alternating between Serge, Marc and Yvan
Tone and Mood
Discovering, discussing
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: the three friends; Antagonist: The piece of art
Major Conflict
Serge has bought a new piece of art but Marc doesn't like it. He calls it a "piece of shit", and a feud begins between the two rival-turned-friends.
Climax
Marc realizes that the piece of art is, in fact, art.
Foreshadowing
The piece always being present during the play foreshadows that it will be important, and interpreted in diverging ways.
Understatement
The piece Serge buys is an understatement, as he didn't know that it would become a big quarrel between his friends.
Allusions
The watcher/reader might have allusions to other plays such as John Lyly's play "Euphues and his England".
Imagery
The image of the piece of art itself is important, as it shows that simple things can be art.
Paradox
"The painting is a piece of art" is the main paradox discussed during the play.
Parallelism
There can be parallels drawn between all the characters in the play, as they are totally different, an thus their views on art differentiate as well.
Personification
N/A
Use of Dramatic Devices
Monologues are used, where the character speaks to the audience, stating his views on the other characters and the piece.
