great works ii – 2850 jta 12:25-2:05: love letters from the world

-From the beginning of the story, it seems very repetitive- there’s not much getting accomplished. Also, another thing worth noting is the word, “finished” on page 767.

The reason I brought up the repetitiveness in the story and the word, “finished” is because it relates to the title, “Endgame.” I believe this is all relating back to death, and its unstoppable, and sort of torturous, life. Hamm is blind and a paralytic, while Clov can’t stop trying to leave a room; they are constantly arguing in an absurd and irrational way. Shortly after, repetition is shown again in the same page, “grain upon grain, one by one, and one day, suddendly, there’s a heap, a little heap, the impossible heap.” These “grains” made me think of Hamm and Clov’s interactions. They insult and argue back and forth, which is the “grain by grain” that accumulates, and their arguing about “finishing” themselves- dying. So maybe, the “impossible heap” might be their longed for wish to die and have their “endgame” complete, but since it is impossible then they will keep trying to repeat this perpetual cycle.

I also thought the part of the conversation where Hamm says, “Nature has forgotten us.”  was interesting. This is when you truly see nihilistic expression, during this conversation their misery is more and more obvious. The context surrounding this quote is of lifelessness and carelessness- their arguments get to point in which they just sound inanimate because of how redundant the conversation is. They both just want to have their life “finished” because of how deprived they are from real feelings, which is how “nature” left them.

-I actually thought that in the play “End game” by Samuel Beckett  was an expression of absurdism and not nihilism. Although the characters don’t have much to live for, they continue to live their lives as if waiting for a purpose. This can be seen in the quote by Hamm in the beginning of the play “Enough it’s time it ended… And yet I hesitate, I hesitate to end. Yes, there it is it’s time it ended and yet I hesitate to—to end”. This quote signifies Hamm acknowledging it is the end of human existence, but even though he is aware of the fact that it all ended he is hesitates in ending his own life. The quote is even repeated within the same lines to point out its significance and the use of dash, helps emphasize his hesitation. If it were nihilistic, life would have no meaning regardless of what they would do and living in a dystopia, unable to see or stand, he would would have probably committed suicide. However though absurdism one still lives life as if it had a meaning and even in his current situation, Hamm continues to live although he knows it’s the end.

An example is also seen in the quote by Hamm stating to Clov “Let’s go from here, the two of us! South! You can make a raft and the currents will carry us away, far way to other…mammals!”. Here we can see Hamm is making plans with Clov to travel for the adventure and explore new sights. Although there would be no purpose in it considering they live in a dystopia and Hamm is unable to see or stand. This is absurdism because Hamm still holds that longing for wanderlust and even in his current situation Hamm continues to life as if it had a meaning.

-I think Samuel Beckett’s Endgame is indeed an expression of absurdism.  Hamm does question his life and what is to come of it now that they live in this post apocalyptic world.  He still searches for meaning in it and expresses a will to continue seeking out life and keeping himself busy.  Hamm says “ There are days that, one isn’t inspired. Nothing you can do about it just wait for it to come… I’ve got on with it a little all the same” (787).  He recognizes that although he may have his doubts about his life, he will continue to live and search just the same.  I disagree with a group member who believes the story is nihilistic. I think that the repetitive discussions that Hamm and Clov have show their want of continuing life and they repeat themselves in order to find meaning, as if having these conversations over and over will bring some clarity, not because they are just conversing in a disregard less manner.  These conversations don’t show disinterest in their actions, they aren’t just speaking to speak, they are seeking to find more or their lives.