In "Rhinoceros, " as in his early plays, Ionesco startles audiences with
a world that invariably erupts in explosive laughter and nightmare
anxiety. A rhinoceros suddely apears in a small town, tramping through
its peaceful streets. Soon there are two, then three, until the
"movement" is universal: a transformation of average citizens into
beasts, as they learn to "move with the times." Finally, only one man
remains. "I'm the last man left, and I'm staying that way until the end.
I'm not capitulating!"