Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 2004. Vol. 4. Eger Journal of English Studies. (Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 30)
TIBOR TÓTH Beckett and the Poetics of the Absurd
38 Tibor Tóth Estragon: You haven't got a bit of rope? Vladimir: No. Estragon: Then we can't. [WG, 18) Although the same tree becomes the symbol of change and stability: Vladimir: We are happy. Estragon: We are happy. (Silence) What do we do now, now that we are happy? Valdimir: Wait for Godot. (Estragon groans. Silence.) Things have changed here since yesterday. Estragon: Everything oozes. Vladimir: Look at the tree. Estragon: It's never the same pus from one second to the next. Vladimir: The tree, look at the tree. (Estragon looks at the tree.) Estragon: Was it not here yesterday? Vladimir: Yes, of course it was there. Do you not remember? We nearly hanged ourselves from it. But you wouldn't. Do you not remember? Estragon: You dreamt it. (WG , 60) Crucifixion, Resurrection, the tree of knowledge —there are some other possible references. It is the many possible symbolic meanings that can be attached to the tree that define it as a sub-category of that nothing that happens twice. The repetition of the symbol, which is never the same is refused its symbolic interpretations. The juxtaposition of senses suggests the multiplicity of the possible meanings. The meanings formulated by the text support the idea of the need to talk in a dramatic pretext where action fails to be effective or relevant. The denotative and symbolic functions of the language fail to function as meaningful means of communication, but do they kill the dead voices and the dead poetry so often discussed by critics: Vladimir: We have our reasons. Estragon: And the dead voices. Vladimir: They make noises like wings. Estragon: Like leaves. Vladimir: Like sand. Estragon: Like leaves. (Silence.) Vladimir: They all speak together. Estragon: Each one to itself. (Silence.) Vladimir: Rather they whisper. Estragon: They rustle, Vladimir: They rustle.
