Nihilism is the philosophy that life has no meaning, therefore believing in traditional values and morals are pointless, and are often rejected. In the Endgame by Samuel Beckett, the characters Clov and Hamm portray this accurately within their conversation with one another. Hamm states, “ Then there is no reason for it to change.”Clov responds to Hamm by stating, “ It may end. [Pause.] All life long the same questions, the same answers” (769). In this conversation, they discuss the meaningfulness of life, and it’s overall irrelevance. Not only is life a receptive cycle, it’s not worth changing for the better. Throughout the passages, one gets the sense that most of the characters are indifferent to life in general simply because of its predictability. For example, Clov, later in the passage is frustrated that Hamm even asked him if his seeds had sprouted. Rather than responded to him calmly, he violently yells, “They’ll never sprout” (771), in response to Hamm essentially knowing the answer to that question, which his seeds never sprout. For Nihilist, they believe why even exert effort into living, when it’s only going to result in the same outcome? Specifically for these two characters, life is indeed pointless; therefore producing any effort into it would be pointless.
Assignment 10
November 21, 2015 Written by r.joy | 1 Comment
These characters believe there is no meaning in life which leads them to do nothing. The setting shows imprisonment of people who can have no control over their lives. “You’ll be sitting there, a speck in the void, in the dark, for ever, like me,” (Pg. 779).It gives the feeling that they can’t move freely. Absurdity gives the characters a rare escape from the horrible nature of their situation. In moments of physical comedy, they forget themselves and what they are going through.The play shows the pain of life without expressing it. The play is intellectually appealing as it deals with the meaninglessness of life which makes it absurd.
Reading this story, I felt that the characters are depressed and trying to figure out what life is but never get the answer. It is clear that they contemplate death but they never take their own life because something stops them every time. “The end is the beginning and yet you go on. Perhaps I can end my story…” (790) He is explaining that he doesn’t think live matters but is unable to get out of his chair to “end” it. He thinks life does mean anything but does take action to end it because he doesn’t know if that’s truly the case. It is by definition, absurdism.
Erica K., Kayla, Richard
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1 response so far ↓
JMERLE // Nov 22nd 2015 at 11:17 am
Yes, you make some very nice comments about this being a Nihilistic piece. Not only are the lives of Hamm and Clov caught in a repetitive cycle of purposelessness, nature (the sprouts) is also going nowhere, which brings the idea of Nihilism into a larger area in this world.
The second response is also quite interesting, and points out rightly that not only are the characters in an endless cycle, but are frozen within that cycle. It’s interesting, too, that you point out that this inability to act may well keep the play from descending entirely into a Nihilistic universe, and I certainly think you can make a case for that, as well.
You all three needed to respond, however, so the member who neglected to do the work, I’m afraid, has lowered the grade for the group.
Remember, you have an obligation to your group members!
7/10