Overview
- Female: 1
- Male: 1
Context
Adèle has just received the bills from the butcher, baker, and grocer--they will not get any food until the bills are paid. However, her father has bought candles in memory of his dead son. As usual, Adèle angrily scolds her father. This scene is significant as it not only establishes the conflict of the play, but also sets up the resolution, revealing that Monsieur Durand had a plan to save his family all along.
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ADÈLE: Oh, God in heaven, this is the end for us! But what's this? [Opens a package.]
DURAND: Some candles that I bought for the mass for my dear little Rèné. Today is the anniversary of his death.
ADÈLE: You can afford to buy such things!
DURAND: With my tips, yes. Don't you think it is humiliating to stretch out my hand whenever a traveller leaves us? Can't you grant me the only contentment I possess--let me enjoy my sorrow one time each year? To be able to live in memory of the most beautiful thing life ever gave me?
ADÈLE: If he had only lived until now, you'd see how beautiful he'd be!
DURAND: It's very possible that there's truth in your irony--as I remember him, however, he was not as you all are now.
ADÈLE: Will you be good enough to receive Monsieur Antonio yourself? He is coming now to have his coffee without bread! Oh, if mother were only living! She always found a way when you stood helpless.
DURAND: Your mother had her good qualities.
ADÈLE: Although you saw only her faults.
DURAND: Monsieur Antonio is coming. If you leave me now, I'll have a talk with him.
ADÈLE: You would do better to go out and borrow some money, so that the scandal would be averted.
DURAND: I can't borrow a sou. After borrowing for ten years! Let everything crash at once, everything, everything, if it would only be the end!
ADÈLE: The end for you, yes. But you never think of us!
DURAND: No, I have never thought of you, never!
ADÈLE: Do you begrudge us our bringing-up?
DURAND: I am only answering an unjust reproach. Go now, and I'll meet the storm--as usual.
ADÈLE: As usual--h'm!
August Strindberg, Facing Death, http://www.one-act-plays.com/dramas/facing_death.html
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