After discussing Waiting for Godot in class I believe even more so that Samuel Beckett is attempting to make a statement about religion. It seems that Samuel Beckett believes that religion is useless and repetitive and only really serves to keep people trapped in prison with out wall.
As previously stated the lone tree that is in the background I believe is representative of the cross. The whole play takes place around it, and none of the characters ever real accomplish anything or a achieve a real sense of individuality. Vladimir and Estragon constantly repeat each other; appear to be interpedently on each other for any kind of purpose, whether to need or to be needed. For Christians the cross is supposed to be the source for where we can come and meet God. In Waiting for Godot Vladimir and Estragon are constantly left waiting at the cross every day with the continuing promise that Godot is still coming. However when Godot does not show up he sends a boy who works for him instead. That boy works for Godot by taking care of his goats and his brother, who also works for Godot, by taking care of his sheep. It is revealed that Godot mistreats the brother who takes care of the sheep. This part of the play reminds me of the passage in Revelations that talks about God separating the goats from the sheep, the sheep being those who will receive a reward in the after life. I think Samuel Beckett might be trying to bring up the issue of why good things happen to bad people. It does often seem that those people who are good and upright tend to suffer the most. There are other smaller lines that support this idea. At one point I noticed Vladimir and Estragon talking as if they prayed to Godot and even ask for forgiveness.
I think it is important to attempt to understand works of art that demonstrate an opposition to religion. I know many Christians are opposed to this avoiding movies or music that makes statement they may not agree with. Not to say I’m in favor of submitting oneself to a barrage of vulgarity, but I believe it is important for Christians to at least be familiar with the beliefs of the world. Only when we truly understand people can we reach out to them to share our faith.
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"Vladimir and Estragon constantly repeat each other..."
ReplyDeleteSince you're talking about religion here, I thought this statement was especially applicable to people who call themselves Christians, yet never think for themselves. It is often sufficient for people that their pastor said it - I mean, the pastor must know what he's talking about right? Thus, instead of growing closer to God and hearing from or experiencing Him ourselves, we become mere parrots quoting what other (allegedly godly) people have said. We are in a sad state indeed, and I appreciate Beckett's possible criticism.