Intro:

Jean-Luc Lagarce, playwright and theater director, publishes the play Just the end of the world in 1990. In this intimate tragedy, the character of Louis decides to return home, after years of absence, to announce to his family his "impending and irreversible death".

The scene 1 of the first part takes place just after the prologue in which Louis informs us of his project. This passage complements the exposition scene. Louis has just arrived and is welcomed by his mother, his sister Suzanne, his brother Antoine, and his sister-in-law Catherine, whom he meets for the first time. The atmosphere from the start is heavy.

-> reading of the text

We will be able to ask ourselves how we see the family unease from this exposition scene.

• We will witness the introductions (l.1-8)
• Then we will notice that the enunciation situation is confusing (l.9-28)
• The unease intensifies (l.29-36)

1st movement: Introductions (l.1-8)

• Suzanne, who knows Louis the least, begins to speak and make introductions. She takes charge of the principle of double enunciation which allows the spectators to know who is who.
• The introductions are made in a minimalistic way with the use of demonstratives. ("it is," "here is")
• The repetition of the names "Catherine" "Louis", allows us to know who Suzanne is addressing.
• Epanorthosis "it is Catherine" "She is Catherine", "it is Louis" "He is Louis", shows Suzanne's lack of confidence.
• Antoine's first line shows his character from the beginning with the use of imperatives but also his lack of confidence with the epanorthosis.
• Catherine's line "She is happy" shows her gentle character.
• Antoine comparing Suzanne to a dog, shows from the beginning his mocking irony towards his sister.

2nd movement: A confusing enunciation situation (l.9-28)

• The mother's first line increases the confusion (l.9-11), several repetitions (verbs say, know, adverb never) which mark astonishment, epanorthosis "don't tell me," "don't tell me that," interrogative sentences -> disbelief.
• Establishment of a parallel dialogue: on one side Suzanne/Antoine/the mother, and on the other Louis/Catherine.
• Many repetitions (names, "me too"). Nobody seems comfortable and sure of themselves.
• Epanorthosis and hesitations in Suzanne's line (l.19-27), not very sure of herself.
• Suzanne accentuates the unease by saying "They look like strangers", as if they were not beside each other.
• Antoine's line about not knowing each other shows once again his authoritarian character.

3rd movement: The unease intensifies (l.29-36)

• Politeness in Louis' line to Catherine l.29: use of formal address "I embrace you" + polite phrases "excuse me", "do you mind"
• Suzanne restarts the parallel conversation and prolongs the uncertainty of the situation (l.30)
• The mother's last line accentuates the unease: numerous repetitions "head", verbs imagine, know..., epanorthosis "in my head", "in your head" (unease and communication difficulties throughout the play)
• The last sentence "you live in a strange way", sounds like a judgment/reproach towards her sons, and even more towards Louis.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, we see a significant contrast between the prologue where Louis expresses himself alone and this first scene where he struggles to do so. In addition, the attitude of the family members can only evoke unease: the mother's astonishment, the politeness between Louis and Catherine, Suzanne's euphoria, and Antoine's aggression. The numerous repetitions and epanorthoses accentuate this unease by showing the difficulties in communication.

-> establish a parallel with the biblical parable of the "prodigal son"