Waiting for Godot by Samual Beckett - Book Report/Review Example

1 Introduction Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett is about two tramps trapped in a situation in which they have to wait for Godot, an acquaintancethey probably would not recognize. To while away the time, they eat, sleep and argue repetitively about seemingly nonsensical things. They meet two rather odd characters, a master and his slave. Oddly enough, the tramps are unsure as to why they are waiting only mentioning in passing that they were expecting "a kind of prayer." And yet, they wait, both not leaving the spot by the tree - even after news that Godot is not coming. Critics' comments when this absurd comedy premiered in France in 1953 ranged from enigmatic to simply bad. Little did the French audience know, that it was later to become one of the most significant works in post-war literature. In literary tradition, Waiting for Godot belongs to the theater of the absurd, in which the plots are not based on realistic events. Rather, they consist of seemingly disjointed absurd situations that represent real life. In this play, form is content because the writer uses techniques such as stream of consciousness to comment about society and its progress. Waiting for Godot, Beckett's most famous work, is today considered not only ground-breaking and universal but also timeless. That having been said, the thesis of this paper is to show how this comedy, written in 1948, continues to represent distinct features of human society today. The world is now at a crossroads, having suffered one of the worst financial crises in history on top of war and environmental threats. Global concerns and global solutions have put on different faces but deep within are people essentially the same kind of people, prone to the same kind of folly, nurturing within them the same kind of hope 1 Analytical Paragraph on Sub Claim 1 The first thing that must be looked into is Beckett's choice of characters, which represent two facets of human beings. One character, Vladimir, is more contemplative than the other, Estragon, who is portrayed as silly if not altogether dim-witted. He is always hungry and seems to be constantly complaining of some pain. "I was asleep! (Despairingly.) Why will you never let me sleep" says Estragon. Vladimir on the other hand contemplates the idea of redemption and salvation using the Bible story of the two thieves. "Suppose we repented." This is a conversation topic which Estragon responds to first by saying that the map of the Holy Land was colorful and next by showing exaggerated boredom. "I find this really most extraordinarily interesting," he says sarcastically. Vladimir is also portrayed to have strong feelings about the what is right and wrong. Upon meeting the slave Lucky, his first reaction was compassion for the slave, inspecting the soars around the latter's neck. He felt disdain for the tyrant, Pozzo, whom he addressed with some hostility. "To treat a human being like that... is a scandal," he says. Because of this difference in personality, Vladimir and Estragon are constantly at odds with each other and they are yet indivisible. In Act I, Estragon says, "There are times when I wonder if it would be better for us to part," to which Vladimir replies, "You wouldn't go far." Vladimir also assures Estragon, "You're my only hope," trying to stop the latter from hanging himself on a bough of a tree. The comical banter of Vladimir and Gogo is more than just for laughs though; In a way, they represent the two levels of human thought: one is preoccupied with physical inconveniences and needs while the other digs deeper into the meaning of life and the nature of good. Social and political discourse about the most controversial issues today consist of compelling arguments from both sides. Policy making in the 21st century is a battleground pulled to one side by an ethical argument to the opposite side by material gains. Resolving issues like capital punishment, genetic engineering, and female circumcision poses this dilemma. Rising costs for example has become a strong argument for abortion especially in underdeveloped countries where overpopulation has caused severe poverty. And yet, there are still those who put a greater premium on the fetus' "moral" right to a future like living people. What makes issues such as these constantly controversial is that human society, as shown by the two characters, strive to satisfy both the body and the soul. Vladimir in Act 1 remarks, "...but for me...where would you be...(Decisively.) You'd be nothing more than a little heap of bones at the present minute...," which may be a comment on the fact that what pulls society from opposite directions cannot in fact be divorced. This duality defines society's progress, which the play also comments on. Questions: 1. What is this paragraph about Human beings are constantly pulled from opposite directions by their "body" and "soul," as shown by the two main characters. 2. What is the purpose of this paragraph in relationship to the thesis The purpose of the paragraph is first to describe the characters, Vladimir and Estragon; second to show that their characters represent two facets of human thought; finally to explain that these characteristics of human beings still define society at present. 3. How does the paragraph fulfill this purpose Specific instances in the play were cited to prove the characterization of Vladimir and Estragon. Since the two show duality in human beings - the need to satisfy not only the body but also the soul, it was explained how this affects current social issues. 1 Thesis Statement: Waiting for Godot is a timeless portrayal of the progress of human society, which continues to be relevant in the present. 1. Samuel Beckett through his characterization of Vladimir and Estragon shows two contradicting aspects of human society. a) Vladimir represents the thinking human being in pursuit of higher ideals while Estragon embodies the whining human being in agony. b) The dynamics of two characters' relationship may be likened to the constant struggle to arrive at sound policies where both material gains and morals or ethics must be considered. 2. Progress is not a linear movement but a cyclical one, an idea which may be evidenced by current developments in society today. a) The repetitive segments of the play and its use of stream of consciousness is in itself a statement that events in history are repetitive and non-linear.. b) The economic policy put forward by soon-to-be American President, Barack Obama, is considered a step back to socialism c). The U.S. upon his assumption to office will have drastic changes in terms of its policy regarding the Iraq war which was formerly aggressive. 3: To have hope, a recurrent motif in the play, is one of today's foremost aspiration. a) Waiting for Godot has symbolisms of both desperation and hope. b) Godot may be seen as a representation of progress hoped for. c) Imperialism is shown to weaken through the segment of Pozzo and Lucky, which may also be read as a sign of hope. Read More