La Ronde by Arthur Schnitzler Play Analysis

Arthur Schnitzler’s La Ronde is a controversial play. It analyzes the relationships of different social classes. It does so by bringing to light the idea that relationships are not constrained to what is perceived to be acceptable interaction based off your social class. However, these relationships are driven by previous experiences with other ranks in the social class hierarchy. This idea is then put on display with the structure of the play. Connecting the characters to one another, no matter their social class. In French La Ronde translates to the circle, alluding to the round structure of the play. The circularity of the play comes from the connection of the characters. By the end, unbeknownst to them all, every character is connected. The circular structure of La Ronde exemplifies how social classes are not dissimilar, yet it is the relationship between different social classes that drive and influence society.

No matter your social class, fundamentally everyone is the same. We can see this in La Ronde. The play consist of 10 characters, must of whom pertain to their own social class. These social classes vary in rankings. We have characters like the Parlor maid or soldier who would be at the lower end of the social ladder. We also have character like the Actress and Poet who would be near the higher end. Although they may not be socially equivalent, we can see by their actions that fundamentally they are the same. Let’s analyze the parlor maid and soldier interactions along with the actress and poet to better understand their relationships. We see the Parlor Maid seeks affection from the soldier, “at least tell me-do you like me?” (Schnitzler 6). When she isn’t given her desired affection, she become angry with the soldier. The parlor maid then moves on, to seek affection from the young gentleman. Let’s now look at the actress and poet. When the poet is confronting the actress about canceling her show for being sick, she response with “Yes. And you know why? Out of longing for you.” (Schnitzler 46). Longing is to have a strong desire or feeling. Here we can see the actress is longing for the Poet. Much like the Parlor Maid was longing for the soldier. These two scenes show how your social class does not effect who we really are. Rich or pore, Parlor Maid or Actress, people will always desire more. 

Wanting more. This has always been a driver to society. People constantly seek more. La Ronde displays this idea in its simplest form, human interactions. It does so with its circular structure. Almost every scene a character is seeking someone above them on the totem pole of social hierarchy. The opening scene we are introduced to the soldier and the whore. After the soldier’s interactions we can see him rushing off, no longer wanting to be there. “Where are you rushing off-” (Schnitzler 3). The next scene we see the soldier and the parlor maid, a social upgrade from the whore. Once the soldier has relations with the parlor maid, we can see him once again seeking more then just the parlor maid. “Parlor maid: I see how it is. It’s that Blonde. The one with the crooked face. Soldier: Ha!..Her face ain’t so bad.” The soldier makes it obvious he no longer had any desire to be with the parlor maid. Not only does the structure demonstrates how all classes are connected, and how this connection drives society. But also how, no matter your status on the social hierarchy you will always break outside your social boundaries.

Social classes have always existed, they create boundaries between people and their perceived acceptable relationships. These boundaries can be seen in the play. In fact, they can be seen in every character.  Each character engages in two relationships; one that would be perceived as socially acceptable and one that would be breaking their social boundaries. This can be seen with the young wife and husband. Them being together is socially acceptable. Yet, they each break this boundary. The young wife with the young gentleman and the husband with the little miss. People have been exploring since the start of time, it is in our nature. We seek to understand everything around us. It is the exploratory nature of people, that drive these interactions. The most prominent example of characters exploring outside their social boundaries can be witnessed in the final scene. The count has relations not just the top of the social ladder, with the actress, but also the bottom, with the whore. We can deduct their social status by analyzing their rooms. “The Actress’s bedroom, luxuriously finished.” (Schnitzler 46). While the whore’s room is described as “A mean little room, with one window” (Schnitzler 52). It is obvious that the count, “A historical title of nobility” (Chamberlain), should be with the actress. Initially even the count himself knows he shouldn’t be with the whore. We can see him being shocked and disappointed when he realizes he has slept with the whore, “Hmm, I’d like to know if. No, No, after all that’s something I’d remember. No, No, I dropped down on the sofa right away” (Schnitzler 53).  As the scene develops, we can see the count perception of the whore changes. Without having met the whore, the count had pre ideas of what she would be like. Based off her social status. Now they have met, we can see the counts attitude towards her shift. Not only does he begin to take a liking to her “If only one sees the head…..they all look innocent”(Schniztler 53)  he also makes plane to continue to explore and develop their relationship “I’ll come again soon” (Schniztler 53).  Exploring is human nature. Week seek to step outside of our comfort zones, our boundaries. When we do so, the interactions that following are what make the world an interesting and diverse place.

Our world is a complex and diverse place. Our society is equally complex. A diverse mix of people all belong to their own social class. La Ronde helps break down our society. It shows us that now matter your social class, we are all the same. By analyzing the circle structure, we are also able to analyze the interactions of various characters. By doing so we are also able to analyze the interactions of various social classes. Showing how the interaction between social classes are what influence and drive our society.