Ap English

Ap English

English Journal
Waiting for Godot
Waiting for Godot is a curious piece of literature.   It is a truly universal piece of writing where Beckett goes out of his way to make his meaning widely open to interpretation.   The characters are not described physically nor are their backgrounds.   The only thing certain about them is that they are now two homeless tramps.   It can be discerned by their language that perhaps they were once well off.   This is just speculation, however, and they could have always been poor.   The author purposely throws in these monkey wenches in order to make the reader think and essentially paint their own story behind Vladimir and Estragon.   This is the beauty of it because each reader has their own unique experiences, which means what they see is completely different from anyone else.   This ties into existentialism, since the author is not forcing the reader to follow a linear path, but leaves it open for the use of free will.
Beckett’s use of such vague descriptions and conflict are merely a light foundation, which the reader then imposes his or her ideas on.   For example, there is a big debate on the religious aspect of this play.   The character they are waiting for; Godot is thought by many to mean god.   He is seen as someone who Vladimir and Estragon fully put their hopes on, yet know will most likely not come.   This is the same reason people go to church, in order to put their faith in something concrete and have hope for the future.   Another piece of evidence that people give, is that the boys who give them messages are god’s angels.   However, it may be people’s nature to debate but the fact is there is no right or wrong answer.   “Then the two of them must have been damned” (Vladimir).   These symbols (cross, damnation, etc) are put in by Beckett just to open another avenue of interpretation and nowhere in the text are these things specifically stated to relate to God.   Depending on who reads it, Godot could just as easily be...