Samuel Beckett and the Theatre of the Absurd
Introduction Samuel Barclay Beckett (1906–1989) was an Irish novelist, poet, and playwright, renowned for his minimalist and avant-garde style. Key highlights: Born in Dublin, moved to Paris in 1928, where he befriended James Joyce. Wrote in both English and French, translating many of his own works. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1969 for his transformative impact on modern literature. Pioneered the "Theatre of the Absurd," exploring themes of existential despair, human futility, and the search for meaning. Important Works Beckett’s oeuvre spans prose, poetry, and drama, marked by experimental techniques and bleak humor. Prose: Proust (1931): A critical essay analyzing memory and time. Murphy (1935): A novel exploring determinism and free will. Novels: Malone Dies (1951): Part of his "Trilogy," delving into isolation. The Unnamable (1960): A stream-of-consciousness narrative. Plays: Waiting for Godot (1948): His most famous work, a tragicomedy of e...