Exploring the Absurd Experience and Philosophical Implications of "Waiting for Godot" from a Reader's Perspective

Journal: Arts Studies and Criticism DOI: 10.32629/asc.v6i2.3824

Xinyi Lyu

Nanjing Foreign Language School British Columbia Academy, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

Abstract

This study focuses on "Waiting for Godot," examining the absurd experience readers encounter when engaging with this absurdist drama and delving into its philosophical implications. Utilizing close reading, philosophical analysis, and reader-response theory, this paper systematically dissects the absurd characteristics of the play in terms of plot, character portrayal, and language expression. It further analyzes the bewilderment, frustration, helplessness, and anxiety that readers experience, and how these feelings prompt contemplation on existentialism, absurdist philosophy, and philosophical issues such as life, time, and hope. By analyzing these absurd experiences, this study aims to reveal the artistic charm and intellectual depth of the work, offering a new perspective for understanding "Waiting for Godot" and encouraging deeper engagement with the text.

Keywords

"Waiting for Godot", reader experience, philosophical implications, existentialism, absurd characteristics

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References

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