Month: December 2008

IN RESUME

BY ALE

In ‘Waiting for Godot’, things are different from reality in the way that mundane actions are exacerbated; thus, loosing importance and transcendence –like suicide (as prominent example).

Passing time is the main objective given  a lack of taste for life resumed to conformity. This conformity is not an aspect of the will, nor a matter of preference, ratther something which appears to be the only salvation from ‘nothingness’ and lack of meaning.

Life, in this bubble, moves relentlessly forward. Invariably, no decision is taken which is consequently translated into action. Every action is minimal and useless in terms of progress hence everything goes back to the beginning. ‘They don’t move’.

Didi and Gogo are stuck in time for they do nothing but wait.

(3) Lucky treated as a dog/slave on a leash.

Well, this is different from reality in the way that law forbids slavery. Also, the norms by which society abides, or claims to function by, are against a practice of the sort.

Moreover, this character’s leashing indicates his position in terms of power relations to the rest.

Subjugated by Pozzo, Lucky’s ‘automatization’ is clearly another factor that makes the play different from reality. It does so by exposing the extension of Lucky’s lack of self determination. His dependence to act on command make him an ‘automat’. Then, when he is left to his own device, as proof of what has been previously stated, he rambles nonsense.

In conclusion, life in in this limbo-like world degenerates character.

About that hanging…

Hey Eric–

I think you picked out a great piece here.

The fact that the characters casually contemplate suicide also puts the audience’s attention in the moment. At this point, it is really possible that anything could happen. During the play, it is difficult to avoid thinking about the sum of the play while the action is in progress. The sum of the play’s action cannot be assessed until every moment has concluded. Rather than focusing on the the “result” before the play has ended, the audience is forced to focus on the individual moments because they cannot predict when the play will end.

Why Is It Different From Reality- Hanging

By Eric Houdek 

In Waiting For Godot, the character Estragon casually proposes hanging himself.  A dialogue insues, as follows

ESTRAGON:
What about hanging ourselves?
VLADIMIR:
Hmm. It’d give us an erection.
ESTRAGON:
(highly excited). An erection!
VLADIMIR:
With all that follows. Where it falls mandrakes grow. That’s why they shriek when
you pull them up. Did you not know that?
ESTRAGON:
Let’s hang ourselves immediately!
VLADIMIR:
From a bough? (They go towards the tree.) I wouldn’t trust it.
ESTRAGON:
We can always try.
VLADIMIR:
Go ahead.
ESTRAGON:
After you.
VLADIMIR:
No no, you first.
ESTRAGON:
Why me?

VLADIMIR:
You’re lighter than I am.

ESTRAGON:
Just so!

VLADIMIR:
I don’t understand.

ESTRAGON:
Use your intelligence, can’t you?
Vladimir uses his intelligence.

VLADIMIR:
(finally). I remain in the dark.

ESTRAGON:
This is how it is. (He reflects.) The bough . . . the bough . . . (Angrily.) Use your
head, can’t you?

VLADIMIR:
You’re my only hope.

ESTRAGON:
(with effort). Gogo light€”bough not break€”Gogo dead. Didi heavy€”bough
break€”Didi alone. Whereas€”

VLADIMIR:
I hadn’t thought of that.

ESTRAGON:
If it hangs you it’ll hang anything.

VLADIMIR:
But am I heavier than you?

ESTRAGON:
So you tell me. I don’t know. There’s an even chance. Or nearly.

VLADIMIR:
Well? What do we do?

ESTRAGON:
Don’t let’s do anything. It’s safer.

 In this dialogue, hanging, which would certainly lead to their death, is viewed as a way to just pass the time.  The implications of death, and ending their own lives, are presented in a minimalistic, non-important light.  By presenting the end of one’s life as unimportant, life itself is shed in a non-crucial light. 

Remix of my first post…

Geoffrey McQuilkin 

          After careful considerations and rereading the play and seeing that my teammates disagree with my position, I may have had a change of heart about what the meaning of the play is.  Maybe the play is critique of passivity.   I know that directly contradicts my last post but so be it.  Perhaps Beckett wanted to call the audience to action by showing the petty non-occurrences that accompany a passive life style.

 "Let us do something, while we have the chance€¦Let us make the most of it, before it is too late!" 

          It is possible that Beckett wants to motivate the audience to do something meaningful with their lives by showing them two acts of life that is limitless in potential, yet absurdly monotonous.  Perhaps the fact that Pozzo and Lucky go blind and dumb (respectively) in Act II is meant to serve as a reminder of how precious the gift of life is and how we should never waste it in petty conflicts and hollow repetition.  Carpe Diem indeed!