by Adam B. Ferguson
In regards to the setting (a country road, a tree)
this description is very nondescript and unspecific. It is quite ironic that they are supposed to meet Godot by the tree but have no specifications to which tree (what kind, where, etc.) By making the setting description so general and nonspecific it plays into the overall tone of the play and the dejavu feeling.
ESTRAGON:
We came here yesterday.
VLADIMIR:
Ah no, there you’re mistaken.
ESTRAGON:
What did we do yesterday?
VLADIMIR:
What did we do yesterday?
ESTRAGON:
Yes.
VLADIMIR:
Why . . . (Angrily.) Nothing is certain when you’re about.
ESTRAGON:
In my opinion we were here.
VLADIMIR:
(looking round). You recognize the place?
ESTRAGON:
I didn’t say that.
VLADIMIR:
Well?
ESTRAGON:
That makes no difference.
VLADIMIR:
All the same . . . that tree . . . (turning towards auditorium) that bog . . .It is clear that neither Vladimir or Estragon truly knows what is going on or fully understand where they are or supposed to be. However, their discussion about the tree itself is quite fascinating. According to Paul’s comments on the symbol of the tree earlier a tree usually pertains to life and continuous growth and change unless affected by a foreign force. Each character tries to identify the tree where they are waiting for Godot, however, with each description or identification the image begins to change and completely evolve until finally they believe they may be in the wrong place.
VLADIMIR:
He said by the tree. (They look at the tree.) Do you see any others?
ESTRAGON:
What is it?
VLADIMIR:
I don’t know. A willow.
ESTRAGON:
Where are the leaves?
VLADIMIR:
It must be dead.
ESTRAGON:
No more weeping.
VLADIMIR:
Or perhaps it’s not the season.
ESTRAGON:
Looks to me more like a bush.
VLADIMIR:
A shrub.
ESTRAGON:
A bush.
VLADIMIR:
A€”. What are you insinuating? That we’ve come to the wrong place?
ESTRAGON:
He should be here.
Much like the growing and changing of an actual tree, their conversation does the same from tree, to weeping willow, to a tree without leaves (no longer having to weep), to a shrub, to a bush. A tree starts as a single, tiny seed which once planted begins to grow and flourish until it becomes a completely different being from that of the single seed. The tree then produces seeds which start the entire process over again. This talk of the tree and the changing description of it keeps the conversation moving forward as it grows and flourishes to become a completely separate entity. It moves the conversation from simply talking about what kind of tree it is and its many changing aspects to the question at heart – are they in the right spot as they continue to wait for Godot?