Just a thought on “Act Without Words I”
Act Without words is a very symbolic play or parable that is open to
many interpretations. Mark Twain once said, “Don't go around saying
the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here
first.” Act without words is very similar to this quote. After being
thrown into this world/desert twice the protagonist tries to exit; but
both times he is thrown back. He learns that he should not attempt to
flee.
The protagonist has no name. Why? He represents everyman and doesn’t
need a name. His name is Jack, Anatoly, Adam, Eve, etc. He is thrown
into existence against his will and goes through various challenges to
survive in this world. Everything needed for survival is within
reach, but getting it is challenging. His life consists mainly of
falling and reflecting. He continues to rise from his falls and even
contemplates suicide until the very end, when he lays himself down in
resignation. What I don’t understand is, every time he learns
something it disappears. Maybe things disappear to show him that he
was thrown into this world with all kinds of inventions that is
meaningless and must find the meaning to his own existence.
In the end, the water is inches from his face and the tree of life is
now providing shade, he does not move! Why? Well, he tried to get the
water and everything else and was unsuccessful, so why even bother?
The water is within reach but it might be yanked away soon as he
moves. Man has learned for his mistakes. He looks at his hand in
acknowledgement of himself. This look signifies man’s ultimate
acceptance of being “here” in a new place, in the same way that the
descending props can finally be understood only in the sense of being
“here.” It is the same motion that freezes Vladimir and Estragon at
the end of Waiting for Godot.