The Balcony Chapter Summary & Analysis - Scene 8 Summary

Scene 8 Summary

The General, the Judge, the Bishop, the Chief and the Queen (Irma) all appear on a balcony. All are dressed and made up to appear larger than life. A Beggar appears and shouts, "God Save the Queen!" Chantal appears. The Queen bows to her. Chantal is shot dead. The Queen and General carry her off.

Scene 8 Analysis

This brief scene illustrates graphically how ultimately all power is the same. Chantal, because of how she's been described and set up by the rebels, is larger than life in the same way as the other authority figures. The fact that she's shot represents the ultimate end faced by anyone in authority, death. Setting the scene on the balcony, which as we've seen symbolizes the emptiness of power, reinforces the point further.