Question

Passive characters are often considered ‘weak’ and ‘uninteresting,’ but can also be the true driving force of a story. Do you feel that the maid and Jeanne were the driving force of this play? Rationalise with evidence from the play.

Answer 1

Yes, the maid and Jeanne can be considered the driving force of the play to some extent. Though they are passive characters, their presence helps the story move forward. The maid provides important information about the villa and the people connected with it. Jeanne is with Gaston and helps us understand his thoughts and actions. Their conversations and reactions contribute to the development of the plot. They may not make the major decisions, but they help create the situations in which the main characters act. Thus, the play shows that even passive characters can play an important role in driving a story forward.