Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
Samuel Beckett is generally considered to write in the
pessimistic tradition. For his characters, life is a
process of "dying on" in a chaotic universe. God, if
he exists, is cruelly indifferent. Death has no purpose,
and therefore life is pointless. Suffering is
real, however, and made more painful by the knowledge
that there is neither Savior nor Salvation. Nevertheless Beckett repeatedly examines the Christian concept
of Salvation in his work. Indeed, it has become framework,
linguistic storehouse, source of metaphor, and
spiritual yardstick in much of his canon. The doctrine
of Salvation raises "the old questions" regarding man's
destiny which so preoccupy Beckettian man; their
contemplation has provided the matter for Beckett's
writing, and that writing itself has perhaps saved him
from despair.
pessimistic tradition. For his characters, life is a
process of "dying on" in a chaotic universe. God, if
he exists, is cruelly indifferent. Death has no purpose,
and therefore life is pointless. Suffering is
real, however, and made more painful by the knowledge
that there is neither Savior nor Salvation. Nevertheless Beckett repeatedly examines the Christian concept
of Salvation in his work. Indeed, it has become framework,
linguistic storehouse, source of metaphor, and
spiritual yardstick in much of his canon. The doctrine
of Salvation raises "the old questions" regarding man's
destiny which so preoccupy Beckettian man; their
contemplation has provided the matter for Beckett's
writing, and that writing itself has perhaps saved him
from despair.
Member of