Six Characters in Search of an Author

Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author questions the limits of irrational theater. Written as a play, the first act opens with a unique set design; that of a chair with its back to the audience, assumed to be that of the director, and two tables surrounded by additional chairs.  This reveals that Pirandello's theatrical work is about a play within a play.  This concept reminds me of the present day film Inception, which depicted a series of dream sequences, all, inter-related.  

Before reading, I noticed an unusual listing of characters.  There were two lists evident, one of characters and one of actors.   Pirandello says that the ‘Characters’ are to wear masks to differentiate them from the ‘Actors.’ “The masks will help to give the impression of the figure created by means of art and fixed immutably in the expression of its own fundamental sentiment” (10).   ‘Characters’ of the Father, Mother, Stepdaughter, and Son wear masks representing various emotions.  The father’s mask represents remorse, the Stepdaughter’s, revenge, the Mother’s, grief, and the Son’s, disdain.  These are essential to the development of the play.

            Pirandello concludes this play by the Actors claiming everything was make-believe while the ‘Characters’ are claiming the opposite, creating a questionable ending.  This conclusion allows the reader to choose what they believe is real or imaginary.  Though confusing, this perhaps was Pirandello’s intent.