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