The Lesson
The Lesson, one-act play by Eugène Ionesco, a comedic parable of the dangers inherent in indoctrination, performed in 1951 as La Leçon and published in 1953.
The absurd plot of the play concerns a timid professor who uses the meaning he assigns to words to establish tyrannical dominance over an eager female student.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.
Citation Information
Article Title:
The Lesson
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
22 April 2011
Access Date:
November 14, 2026