Radicalism

Radicalism

  • Submitted By: amandac52
  • Date Submitted: 11/06/2008 11:08 AM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 909
  • Page: 4
  • Views: 475

Major British Writers Essay 2 4/14/08 Radicalism In both novel and play, Felix Holt: The Radical and Waiting for Godot radicalism is evidently one of the biggest themes. Throughout our readings in this class one of the biggest questions has been what is the meaning of radicalism? While coming closer and closer to the answer the best definition/definitions that can be given are this. Mainly, to be radical is to go against the norm, going along with something that does not follow the lines of something traditional. Also when somebody is trying to change something which does not have to be powerful it can be something small. It can also be defined as being used to define yourself as a person by what you do, what you wear, its defining yourself not being defined by society. In the play, Waiting for Godot written by Samuel Becket radicalism is shown through Pazzo. Pazzo is a very bold character; he very strongly defines himself and always sees himself in control. He takes control of whatever setting he is in and controls the characters around him which is going against the norm. In this play he has a slave named Lucky, and he does whatever Pazzo tells him to do. Lucky is a character that defines what radicalism is not, he allows other people to define who he is; he lets others tell him what to do, when and how. Lucky does not speak unless he is told to speak by Pazzo, so he is far from being a radical person because he is letting others and society define him. In Waiting for Godot the two main characters Estragon and Vladimir are restricted by what they do and who they are because of this Godot that they are continuously waiting for. They are stuck in this one place that is so plain. It forces them to lose control and fight with each other and they also find themselves contemplating suicide. They both define each other because one will not leave the others side and they are also far from radical because they cannot be their own person. This creates chaos within...

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