Justify the title of “The Caretaker.”

Answer

Justify the title of “The Caretaker.”

Harold Pinter’s (1930-2008) play “The Caretaker” (1960) is a story about three men. The title of the play is very important. It helps us understand what the play is about. In this play, the idea of being a “caretaker” is more than just having a job. It is about how the characters try and fail to take care of each other. Here, we will explain reasons why the title fits the story.

The Role of Davies as the Caretaker: The title “The Caretaker” directly refers to the character Davies. Aston offers him the job of taking care of the cluttered room. Davies is an old, homeless man. He hopes this job will give him some stability. He is not a traditional caretaker. Aston says to Davies, 

“You could be … caretaker here, if you liked.” 

This offer sets the stage for the entire play. The whole story circles around whether Davies can actually do this job or not.

The Irony of the Title: The title suggests that Davies will take care of the room. The play reveals that he is actually unfit for the role. Davies complains about everything. He refuses to do any work. He constantly makes excuses. His focus on his own needs rather than taking care of the place highlights the irony of the title. The audience realizes that Davies is not capable of truly being a caretaker.

Aston’s Caretaking of Davies: Another interpretation of the title is that Aston is the real caretaker in the play. He brings Davies into his home out of kindness. He tries to take care of him. Aston provides Davies with a place to stay, shoes, and food. Aston says, carrying out the shoes, 

“See if these (shoes) are any good.”

However, Davies’s ungratefulness prevents him from accepting Aston’s care. This adds a layer of complexity to the title.

Mick’s Manipulative Caretaking: Mick, Aston’s brother, also plays a role in the concept of caretaking. He does it in a more manipulative way. He offers Davies the job of caretaker. He does so to maintain control over him. Mick’s actions are more about power than care. His offer is filled with hidden intentions. Mick’s version of caretaking is about dominance, not compassion.

The Theme of Identity and the Caretaker Role: The title also reflects the theme of identity in the play. Davies is constantly talking about regaining his “papers” from Sidcup. He wants to prove who he is, but he never actually does it. His identity is uncertain. His role as a caretaker is equally unstable. Davies says, 

“I’m going down there (Sidcup) anyway”

This reflects his uncertainty about his own identity. This connects to the title because Davies is unsure of his identity. 

The Destruction of the Buddha and the End of Caretaking: Finally, the title “The Caretaker” is justified through the play’s climax. Here Mick destroys the Buddha statue. This symbolizes the end of any caretaking. The broken statue represents the broken relationships. Aston tells Davies to leave, saying, 

“I think it’s about time you found somewhere else”. 

The title thus captures the tragic end where no one is left to care for anyone or anything.

In conclusion, the title The Caretaker is very fitting for Harold Pinter’s play. It highlights the main theme of the story—how people fail to take care of each other. In the end, no one is really able to take care of anything. This makes the title both meaningful and tragic.