“The blind have no notion of time. The things of time are hidden from them too.”- Explain.
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, to various questions of Waiting for Godot.
Answer
“The blind have no notion of time. The things of time are hidden from them too.”- Explain.
In Samuel Beckett‘s (1909-1989) iconic absurdist drama, “Waiting for Godot,” the line “The blind have no notion of time. The things of time are hidden from them too” expresses several profound themes that permeate the play.
Firstly, this statement reflects the overarching sense of existential despair and futility that characterizes the lives of the two main characters, Vladimir and Estragon. They are “waiting for Godot,” a mysterious figure representing hope, purpose, or salvation, but they remain uncertain if he will ever arrive. This uncertainty creates a sense of timelessness, as they are trapped in an eternal cycle of waiting. They are much like the blind, who cannot perceive the passing of time. Secondly, the line emphasizes the idea of human ignorance and limitation. The blind, in their inability to see, are cut off from the visual markers of time, such as the changing of light and shadows.
Similarly, in their existential confusion, Vladimir and Estragon struggle to grasp their existence’s significance or purpose. They are “blind” to the larger meaning of their lives and the passage of time. Moreover, Beckett’s statement hints at the theme of isolation and alienation. The characters in the play are isolated from the world and each other. Their inability to understand time deepens this isolation, as it emphasizes their disconnection from life’s everyday rhythms and routines.
This line highlights the absurdity of human existence and the search for meaning. In the context of the play, it suggests that pursuing purpose or understanding may be futile and that individuals like Vladimir and Estragon may find themselves in an endless state of waiting, unable to learn the inaccessible concept of time or the meaning of their existence. Beckett’s work challenges the audience to experience the inherent absurdity of the human condition and to reflect on how we wrestle with the passage of time and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world.