Justify Didi and Gogo as parts of a divided self.
Waiting for Godot is a notable literary work by Samuel Beckett. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Waiting for Godot.
Answer
Justify Didi and Gogo as parts of a divided self. [NU: 2017, 20, 21] ★★★
In “Waiting for Godot” (1952), Samuel Beckett (1906–1989) presents Vladimir (Didi) and Estragon (Gogo) as two different sides of one person. They seem like separate characters, but together they show a single human mind divided into two parts.
Reason vs. Emotion: Vladimir is the thinking side. He talks about the Bible. He remembers past events better. He asks questions and looks for meaning. Estragon is the feeling side. He thinks about food, rest, and comfort. Vladimir says,
“We’re waiting for Godot,”
Estragon often complains or wants to leave. This shows the two sides of a person — one follows reason, the other follows feelings.
Memory vs. Forgetfulness: Vladimir remembers more. He talks about what happened yesterday. He notices changes, like the leaves on the tree. Estragon forgets quickly. He asks,
“What did we do yesterday?”
This shows a divided self — one part holds the past, the other forgets it. In real life, our minds also remember some things and forget others.
Hope vs. Despair: Vladimir has hope. He believes Godot will come. He says,
“We’ll come back tomorrow.”
Estragon often feels despair. He wants to give up. Sometimes he talks about ending life. This is like one person feeling hopeful and hopeless at the same time.
Vladimir and Estragon are like two halves of the same person. They show the mind’s split between reason and emotion, memory and forgetfulness, hope and despair. Beckett uses them to show the divided nature of human beings.