Samuel Beckett Sound and Silence Essay - 2214 Words

Samuel Beckett: Sound and Silence Patrick Richert FHSU February 15, 2013 Samuel Beckett was a world renown author of poetry, novels, and theatrical plays. He was born in Ireland and spent much of his adult life in Paris. His works were primarily written in French, and then translated, many times by the author himself, into English. He is known for creating works of dark comedy, and absurdism, and later in his career a minimalist. Due to his late start as an author, he is considered one of the last modernists, along with his good friend and mentor James Joyce. Samuel Beckett was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969, and was upset by the selection, claiming that James Joyce should have won it. For this reason he†¦show more content†¦James Joyce came to his friend’s side, assigning his personal doctor to care for Beckett. He met his assailant later, who claimed that he did not know why he stabbed Beckett, and said that he was sorry. It was an absurd exchange, to be sure, and many often wonder how much it inspired the young author. During his convalescence, Beckett was cared for by Suzanne Descheveaux-Dumesnil, and she became his lifelong companion, helping him Beckett publish his works, and also shielding him from the prying public. It was not until 1961 that the two married. During the years of WW II, Beckett joined the resistance in France, and although he was dismissive of his involvement, the group he was involved with was awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1945. His period from the end of WWII through the 1950’s is his most prolific, and successful period, where he perfected his style, and wrote his famous books, (although he argued were not a trilogy) Molloy, Malone Dies, and The Unamable. Also, he wrote perhaps his best known work, Waiting for Godot. He continued his playwriting in the 1950’s and 60’s , where his minimalist style brought fame and curiosity. His worldwide acclaim growing, until 1969, when he was awarded The Nobel Prize for Literature. His reaction in true Absurd style â€Å"Quelle catastrophe! He thought his friend James Joyce should have won the award, and gave the award money to charities, and needy writers. He ultimately passed away on DecemberShow MoreRelatedThe Significance of Language in Dramatic Productions Essay examples1307 Words   |  6 Pagesnot only Samuel Beckett, but of other dramatists among his contemporaries, as belonging to that category which is known as Theatre of the Absurd. The apparent ‘discordance’ of what is said, and what actually happens can be seen throughout Waiting for Godot, most notably at the end of each act where our two main protagonists decide to leave, only to stay where they are, as at the end of act I, â€Å"Estragon : Well, shall we go? 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[...] to the African-American women, Toni Morrison had long since won a Nobel Prize.8 Toni Morrisons selection as Nobel laureate did not, however, meet with universal acclaim. The surprised international reporters gathered in Stockholm on Oct 7, 1993--even those who later wrote positive commentaries#8212;greeted the announcement of the winner with an embarrassing silence instead ofRead MoreSummary Of Waiting For Godot 1944 Words   |  8 PagesGodot is an absurdist play written by Samuel Beckett. The play seems to refuse any attempt to impose meaning systematically. The author would have us believe that time is meaningless, that repetition rules all, that inertia is manifest and human life is pointless. This idea that human life lacks meaning and purpose and that humans live in an indifferent universe is often associated with Existentialist writers like Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre who, unlike Beckett, brought to life their dark ideasRead MoreThe Theater Of The Absurd1937 Words   |  8 Pagesand ask them to communicate more authentically. Also, it aims to exp ress the importance of language in creating an effect on the modern stage. Samuel Beckett was one of those important writers who very clearly introduced the concept of the absurd. He explores life as an empty space where nothingness and meaninglessness are important. He refers to the possibility of finding the absurdity of life in