Some more processing of Waiting For Godot
"Hope deferred maketh the something sick..." -Vladimir
This is the quote that really allowed me to begin to understand what this play was about. It was the quote that set the stage for me and allowed me to feel the weight of their burder - their desire for Godot to arrive. There anticipation was the reason why they were there, why they kept on living, why they stood together and the reason they had any hope of being saved. If Godot didn't show up it would be a let down that made the "something" sick and we know that something is the heart.
I think that the tree growing leaves in the second act signified that there was still hope. There was still hope for salvation fo the the main characters - which would be realized at the arrival of Godot. Its in the simplest form of life that hope exists.
I think the repetition found in the script, the two acts and in the characters appearances was used to show that our lives are redudant at times. We have daily routines, habits, agendas that happen over and over.
Furthermore, I think the last converstation on the last page really ties it all together well. This to me is the summation of the entire play. If I was to propose an interpretation of the play I would say that Beckett is looking to poke fun at the absurdity of everyday life. He is looking to highlight the fact that mankind goes through life waiting for a reason to live it. Humans long to have a purpose, even if its found in someone or something they are not familiar with or fully sure of, like Godot's arrival. These two characters are anticipating Godot to be there means of salvation, as they put it. If he arrives - they are saved and if he doesn't they will hang themselves. Life with a purpose or death all depends on Godot's arrival - that's a lot of weight to put on a man they wouldn't even recognize if he walked in.
ESTRAGON: I can't go on like this.
VLADIMIR: That's what you think.
ESTRAGON: If we parted? That might be better for us.
VLADIMIR: We'll hang ourselves to-morrow. (Pause) Unless Godot comes.
ESTRAGON: And if he comes?
VLADIMIR: We'll be saved
Vladimir takes off his hat (Lucky's), peers inside it, feels about inside it, shakes it, knocks on the crown, puts it on again.
posted by Jen Tessie Cahn @ 8:27 PM
5 Comments:
Using lines from the book made this blog post into a neat little package! I'm glad other people see the symbolism behind the leaves besides me. When you said, "I would say that Beckett is looking to poke fun at the absurdity of everyday life." I would have to tend to agree with you, but also that he has added somewhat of a depressing undertone just by what the set is like. In the movie it seemed kind of depressing, but again this book is DEFINITELY left up for interpretation!
I do agree that maybe the term poking fun does not necessarily lend to the depressing element that was weaved through out the play. Although to be honest, I didn't really understand the depressing undertone in its entirety until I saw the short film in class.
Hmm, to add to this little discussion, I think that the term "poking fun" does lend itself to the play, because it is called a "Tragicommedy." It's supposed to be humorously depressing...or depressingly humorous. Also, I would like to offer another interpretation more in line with your last post, Jen. I submit that, since the play is in the "theater of the absurd," and Beckett thinks that people are making too much of it, as you pointed out in your last post, the play really is about nothing. I think that Beckett wanted to make an absurd play, and that all material which seemed meaningful was merely filler for the ridiculous dialogue. The tree was also an element of absurdity, because it is preposterous to think that leaves could grow out so quickly. There is so much more of this play which lends itself to this interpretation as well. But, it's kind of unimportant, I guess. Anyway, good post. You had some good lines in here. I especially liked:
"...mankind goes through life waiting for a reason to live it."
I guess thats true - tragicommedy would lend to poking fun. And I didn't really look at the leaves and everything really being as absurd as it was - although I guess that should have been the most obvious element. When you skim through it again there isn't much that is logical which allows it to fit ever so comfortably in the "theater of the absurd" catergory. Thanks for adding to the discussion!
You are very welcome!
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