"Nothing happens. Nobody comes, nobody goes. It's awful."
Before I start with the play. The thing is: I was cleaning my room, because it really needed it. And this is where, I found my notes from university day. The writing is still there, it means the ballpoint did serve its purpose. Next rather than doing what was needed: I have to file my tax returns, as the final date is approaching. I reread the play. I suggest you all to give it a try. It is a single sitting read, and I say - the final boss of absurdism.
Bit of Personal Story.
Back then when I read it, I felt like what in the seven world is this. It was completely a new genre stuff for me. There is existential crisis and peak level of absurdism. And believe me, it really did change the whole perspective of mine. Like even after four-years, I still quote it. And Samuel Beckett is a gem for this piece. If not the best, but one of the best absurdist thing.
So what is it about?
Usually plays or novels start with a story, there is beginning, climax and the ending. However, this one was completely off with these norms. It has the beginning and the beginning. There are lame talks, people come such as Pozzo, they talk, they leave, a child comes, they talk, he leaves, and infinite waiting is there; fortunately or unfortunately, this whole cycle continues again and again. Until a point comes where they think of hanging themselves, but they cannot. Why? Because, they are: "Waiting for Godot."
The Plotless Plot.
Two men, Vladimir (not Putin) and Estragon, are standing beside a leave-less tree, waiting for a man named Godot. They have absolutely no idea about: who Godot is; why are they waiting for him. But they do believe that he will come, and he will give them a purpose - a sort of direction. But Godot does not come.
There is nothing else in the play. So here comes the part of my one brain cell analysis. Because literature is like an ocean, and every individual counts as a drop in it. However, I will exclude few from it. I better not name them because it will be a big unjustice for others.
Nothing to be done.
That is it. This single sentence explains the whole play. But wait, the interpretation of it is a big ocean in itself. And this is the beauty of the play and every other literature. You get to think about the literal meaning, contexual meaning, and then mix it up with your existing knowledge.
Personally, I see this "nothing to be done" at three different levels:
Existential.
It suggests that there is no existing or predetermined action or purpose waiting for us. Both characters wait eagerly for Godot to come, and give them some existence. Because without it, they think they cannot do anything. If nobody - the Godot - does not give them a purpose, then what are they suppose to do?
They can leave, surely. They can do something else, but they just won't. So they just wait.
Now relate it with modern-day life: you have a degree, you need a good job, you apply, you wait, response never comes, you apply again, response in negative, you apply again, and this cycle continues. There is no physical force stopping you from doing any other activity, but you cannot, because there is no drection. Maybe go for the higher studies, maybe start doing something else. But what exactly? Just wait for Godot, who never comes.
As in the play, the character says: "I've forgotten." He literally forgets what he was talking about, what he is going to talk.
And mind you - this play is not about hope and motivation. Life has no meaning at all.
Psychological.
Characters are just hopeless, and sort of paralyzed. They move; they talk. However, the imagination is at pause. They do have a heart and functioning body. But the real meaning is just missing, actually not existing until Godot appears.
It is same as we know that something needs to be changed, but we just postpone it, procrastinate with it. And this something never changes, because we are not acting for it.
Philosophical.
I know that these three aspect correlate with each one, but there is a thin line. This aspect covers: the absurdity of human life. Although humans are the smartest of all the creations, still the existence has no meaning exist. Yes, we have given some lame purposes such as earning, growing, marrying, partying and the list goes on. But what actually is the purpose of all this?What will or would have happened, if I do not even exist? No existence means nothing at all. Everything remains the same.
Pozzo and Lucky.
People usually forget their role. But I believe they represent the system of modern world quite well. Pozzo is like an elite of that era: consident, rich, arrogant and controlling. Lucky is a slave like animal for Pozzo. Lucky has this rope around his neck, and he is being controlled by Pozzo. He will do exactly as Pozzo says, nothing else.
But the twist is: Pozzo is blind in ACT II. Strange thing? Not at all, every pride has a fall came true. He loses his sight; he loses everything. He needs other now to take care of him.
Lucky, the oppressed one, is the one with the longest speech. But his speech makes no sense at all. In ACT II. he is completely muted. The system has crushed him so well that he cannot even say any absurd thing.
Now it is up to you guys how you relate this thing with the modern system.
Control.
To keep it simple. Pozzo controls Lucky. Blindness controls Pozzo ahead. Vladimir and Estragon are being controlled by wait. And the infinite loop continues. There is not a single force in control. No control? But control over what exactly?
The BOy.
The only character who represents hope, but he forgets too. So no meaning is there at all. He comes everyday, tells that Godot will come tomorrow, goes back. A promise of future that never comes.
Tomorrow never comes.
For this one, I have one simple thing to ssay: this tomorrow thing always become today. So tomorrow does not exist. The only thing that exist is present. Past has gone; future is present now. Absurd isn't it?
That is enough. Because I am going crazy. Just one final thing to say:
Estragon: "Let's stop talking for a minute. Do you mind?"
Vladimir: "Alright."
Then continues to talk. This is what overthinking stuff is. There is no end. No end means no solution.
"We all are born mad. Some remain so."
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Peace 🕊️
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Even peace seems strange now.
Rating: 99/100
Originally posted through scrobble.life/books.
