Genre
Drama, Dark Comedy, Horror
Language
English
Setting and Context
Interrogation room in an unnamed city in a totalitarian state.
Narrator and Point of View
POV mostly that of Katurian, who on occasion acts as a narrator.
Tone and Mood
Dark, Serious, Dramatic, Violent, Morbid, Funny.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist is Katurian. Antagonists are Tupolski and Ariel.
Major Conflict
Katurian is being charged with murders that he did not commit, but that his brother did. He wants to figure out a way to ensure that the detectives who are questioning him do not destroy his stories, even if he must take the fall for crimes he did not commit.
Climax
The climax occurs when Tupolski shoots Katurian in the head.
Foreshadowing
Katurian's stories foreshadow many dark twists in the plot.
Understatement
Katurian understates his tragic past.
Allusions
Allusions to the Bible, to fairy tales.
Imagery
The images presented by Katurian's stories are haunting and disturbing.
Paradox
Ariel tells Katurian he is going to burn his stories, but ends up saving them. Katurian tries to take the blame for his brother's crimes, but gets found out as having lied.
Parallelism
Katurian and Michal are parallels of one another. Ariel and Tupolski are also parallels of one another.
Personification
The pillowman is a personification of childhood suicide.
Use of Dramatic Devices
Katurian tells stories throughout the play and actors act them out.
