“Beckett’s Godot and the Art of Doing Nothing”

“When nothing happens, everything speaks.”

There's a tree, two guys, and a whole lot of nothing. That's what I thought I'd see. But Waiting for Godot turned out to be deep. It seemed like Beckett reached through the page, took a seat next to me, and said, 'You're feeling stuck too aren't you?' And to be honest... yeah.

                                       

My Experience with "Waiting for Godot"

As a student of English literature and a master's student, I have the privilege of reading a ton of books, yet many times I do not end up reading the 'pleasure books' that I want to read. I think to myself how about picking a book off my syllabus?

I normally do like reading, but when it comes to reading books on my syllabus, I can sometimes feel a little hesitant about picking those books up, as I often see reading those as a job, which makes it feel boring and unpleasant.

However, "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett was a stand-out book in my syllabus. This novel is about waiting- Endless waiting- Sometimes waiting for something you don't know. Samuel Beckett has captured this human experience in waiting, which is relevant to every one of our lives.

 THE THEME OF WAITING 

In our lives, we often find ourselves waiting for something. We don't always know what we're waiting for when it will come, or if it will even come at all.

For instance, as a student I wait for my exams to go well, then I wait for my results to come out, then I wait for the next semester to start, and then I wait for the exams to start again.

We wait for peace of mind. We wait for messages, for holidays, for a better future. We wait for things we only half understand.

The cycle of waiting never seems to stop. Yet it is also so honest. Because life is sometimes like that, we.... repeat the same patterns, hoping and waiting while we don’t even know whether the thing we are waiting for will ever come.

As Vladimir says, "Let’s not waste our time in idle discourse!"

 My Reflection

As I read this book, I kept feeling like I was sitting with Estragon and Vladimir. Looking for some sign or reason to go forward, on the road of my life. This book made me appreciate that perhaps our purpose in life is not to "achieve" something, but rather simply to exist. Some days you will feel enraged, other days you will be ecstatic.

 Today, the book states: "Nothing to be done." The entire play is influenced by that line. Estragon's repeated statement, "Nothing to be done," refers to life in general rather than just the shoes. And I do feel that at times.This direct complication of supposed meaning forces us to wonder if we have control over anything at all. 

At first, I kept wanting to ask: "What is even happening?" But slowly I understand — nothingness is the point.

The Author

Samuel Beckett, the author, was an Irish writer born in 1906 who received an excellent education. He changed his writing style from English to French in the late 1940s.

The Play

The play "Waiting for Godot" unfolds over two acts and tackles themes of existentialism and absurdism. It might seem like the story goes nowhere, yet it’s rich with meaning.

  

The Story

The play revolves around two men, Vladimir and Estragon, who sit patiently for somebody—or something—named Godot. They don't even know who he is, or if he'll ever show up. Homeless and apparently desperate, they remain in suspension, suspended between action and inaction, being there and not being there. Their waiting is a powerfully symbolic representation of the human condition: repetitive, indeterminate, and frequently without purpose. 

Beckett beautifully records the absurdity of life—the quiet absurdity we all experience—where time seems to draw out indefinitely and meaning cannot be found. Other books in the absurdist tradition present confusion; Waiting for Godot actually presents us with the harsh reality of our emotional and existential vacancies. It forces us to be uncomfortable with the not-knowing, and through that, it is a low-key, long-lasting masterpiece  

The Power of the Play

"Waiting for Godot" is a thought-provoking play that offers us a fresh outlook on life. It challenges us to consider whether we truly have control over our circumstances.

 "We always find something, eh Didi, to give us the impression we exist?"

I was particularly struck by that one line. It got me to thinking: how often do I look for distraction in order to feel true?

This piece encourages us to keep pushing forward on our journeys and provides a new lens through which to view our existence. The play's exploration of themes like waiting, uncertainty, and the quest for meaning resonates with everyone, making it both universal and timeless.

  What It Taught Me

   

I don't need to have everything figured out.

Nobody arrives with instructions—not even Godot.

This play showed me that feeling stuck remains part of the journey.

That companionship, routine, and a touch of humour can keep life intact.

That significance isn't always clear or rational

  and, that's comforting.

I didn't anticipate enlightenment.

But it discovered me nonetheless.

Calm can communicate. Quiet can yell.

 Waiting for Godot serves as a subtle challenge to our fixation on meaning.

It reflected my doubt and I faced it head-on.

It revealed the charm in brief instances of gradual thoughts and hushed worries.

And ofcourse..."Not every book gives answers. Some give company."

At one point, Vladimir says:

“Was I sleeping, while the others suffered? Am I sleeping now?”                                        

This was a shock, not just a line. Beckett wakes you up without yelling .

A Must-Read

If you haven't experienced "Waiting for Godot" yet, you're truly missing a big thing . I encourage you to pick it up and read it at least once. It's a classic that will challenge your thoughts on existence and the human experience.

P.S:)) For a second, imagine this — you and I are Estragon and Vladimir sitting under a make-believe tree, waiting, pondering, whispering questions into the emptiness and tell me: what's your Godot? Or have you already bumped into him without realizing? Which line from this play keeps echoing in your head? And — what are you holding out for these days? I'm not waiting for Godot. I'm eager to hear your thoughts. Also if you want a full analysis of this work,Leave a comment — even if it's quiet, I'm all ears. Let's hang around and ponder together .

🔴 P.S*IF YOU ENJOYED READING THIS ONE, PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER BLOGS AND GIVE YOUR COMMENTS TO THEM AS WELL... AND KEEP READING!

IT'S JUST A BOOK-THE KITE RUNNER

IT'S JUST A BOOK? THINK AGAIN...

I’m an English Literature student and reading has always been my comfort. But honestly, between lectures, notes, and endless syllabus chapters, I rarely found the time to read for myself. I would look at my books, sigh, and put them down, thinking, "Maybe one day."😏

When I had some free time, I finally started reading again. To my surprise, I couldn't stop. I was excited about it!

Out of all the books I read, one was different from the rest. It didn’t just tell a story; it made me think, cry, and feel angry. Strangely, it also helped me heal.

Yes, I’m talking about The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini,a writer I now consider my absolute favourite.

How I Discovered Hosseini ? 

I had heard so much about A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner. Social media posts praised them, and friends would suggest them. "You have to read them!"even from people I hardly knew!

 To be honest, I initially thought What makes it so unique? I believe. Why are these books so popular with everyone? 

However, I realized that on the day I read The Kite Runner. My initial thought upon finishing it was, "Khaled Hosseini, what have you done to me?"No matter how many other books you read after it, it's one of the few that stays with you.

What’s The Story?🤔

The Kite Runner tells us the story of Amir and Hassan.But it’s not just their story.It’s the story of guilt, friendship, betrayal, childhood, fear, and the palpable weight of silence. It forces you to ask:

 Is it possible to be forgiven for a huge mistake?

Do people deserve second chances?

Is loyalty always rewarded?

How long can guilt consume you?

I didn't feel like I was reading about two Afghani boys (AMIR & HASSAN) while I was reading. I felt like I was there. Watching.Crying.Sensing,like I was a part of their journey since the very beginning.

To be honest, I got really upset with Amir at times. "How could you do this to Hassan?" I wanted to scream on him and ask - "How could you just stand there and do nothing?"

On the other hand, there were moments when I felt a strong connection to him. I felt for him in those moments.By portraying Amir as an insecure, lonely boy who just wants his father's approval, Hosseini makes it difficult to dislike him.He wanted love. He just wanted acceptance. And in the process, he betrayed the purest friendship he ever had.

This is the section that hits you the hardest. Because you can't lie to yourself after reading it. "Would I have been braver", you ask. Or "Would I also have run like AMIR ?"Maybe yes,Maybe no...

Hassan – The Heart of the Story♥️

If Amir is the flawed, broken narrator, Hassan is the heart of this book. Hassan's devotion is just overwhelming. It feels painful and beautiful at the same time.The line that still haunts me of HASSAN:

“For you, a thousand times over.” 🥺

How can one sentence be so simple, yet so devastating? It made me stop and think: "Do I even deserve a friend like that? Could I ever be a friend like that?"

The Taboo No One Talks About – And Hosseini Did

Khaled Hosseini's portrayal of sexual violence, particularly involving young boys, is one of the most strong aspects of The Kite Runner. This is something that many writers still avoid discussing.

Most societies ignore it, but South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures do so even more. We don't discuss it. We act as though it never occurs. We turn our heads away. Hosseini, however, did not.

He didn't make it dramatic. It wasn't written for dramatic effect. I stopped because of the dignity, sensitivity, and heartbreaking honesty with which he wrote it. It was about what it meant, how it destroyed innocence, and how silence can be the loudest form of betrayal. It wasn't just about what happened to Hassan. 

It takes courage to write about something so taboo. And doing it with empathy, without going too far into discomfort or being insensitive. It involves skill.

Why Amir’s Silence Matters🤐

 One of the sections of the story that stayed with me was the kite competition.When Amir decides to remain silent after witnessing Hassan's fate.I was angry then. But then I realized he was a kid. Horrified. Puzzled.

 Though Hosseini doesn't justify it. He provokes feelings in you. The dishonour. The guilt. The way it consumes Amir for the rest of his life.

That is this book's genius! It doesn't provide you with simple solutions. It simply reveals the truth to you.Truth of Friendship,of Betrayal, and of Redemption.Khaled Hosseini’s writing doesn’t just tell you a story. It makes you question yourself.

 How would you help a friend? 

Would you say something or say nothing? 

Is it possible to change the past? 

 Real people, not ideal ones, are depicted in The Kite Runner. They are regretful, fragile, and weak. However, they can also look for change and forgiveness.

A Note About Kabul

 I have never been to Afghanistan but I felt as though I had been there after reading The Kite Runner.The kites in the sky, the dusty roads, the children's laughter, and later the terrible Taliban rule all seemed so real.I was intrigued by the book. It made me regret their loss.

Why You Should Read It

If you're looking for something simple and light, this isn't the story for you.

The Kite Runner will break you. It will make you angry and make you cry. "Is it possible to recover from what I have done?" is a question that will force you to sit in silence with your regrets. But that’s exactly why you should read it. Because it’s real. Because it matters. Because it changes you.

🧠 Final Thoughts🧠

It’s been days since I finished it, But I can still picture Hassan's smile. About the guilt of Amir. About Sohrab's silence. This is more than just a book to have on your shelf. It remains in your heart.

If you've read it, you know what I mean.And please read it at least once in your lifetime if you haven't already, let it sit with you and challenge you.You'll see the world and yourself a little differently.Maybe it even dare you to to believe that 

"There is a way to be good again..." ✨✅

 

🔴  PS:)) Have you read THE KITE RUNNER ? Tell me what stayed with you and If you’d like, I can also share my thoughts on A Thousand Splendid Suns and And the Mountains Echoed. Both are equally heart-wrenching, both equally beautiful.

🔴 If you liked this, please go and check my other blogs and give your insights . 

👍🏿 You can also find me on Instagram: @MAITRI_BHARDWAJ.2907

Just let me know your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to discuss these with you all.✅👍🏻

The Palace of Illusions- worth reading?

If you are interested in reading a feminist retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi's point of view, this review will help you determine if The Palace of Illusions is the book for you.

•  WHY THIS BOOK ? 

When I first started reading books, I didn’t know what to choose. So, I began writing down the recommendations people gave me. One of those was The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni . I thought, why not start with this? 

When I read it, I realized that it’s a historical and mythological fiction told from Draupadi’s point of view. It chronicles Princess Panchaali's fierce birth and her courageous life as a woman with five husbands (The Pandavs).Chitra Banerjee tries to show everything through Draupadi’s lens so readers can see her side of the story. Here she is portrayed as an ordinary woman facing extraordinary challenges. This encourages you to think about your own choices.

 I enjoy reading historical and mythological fiction, so I kind of like this book. There were parts I loved, and some things I couldn’t ignore or justify, even if I tried. After a while, some elements felt a bit over the top and disconnected from what seemed true. 

As a literature student, I understand that the point of historical or mythological fiction is to blend fact with imagination—to show history or events in a fictional way. Chitra Banerjee did this, and she mentions that this was her early work, so you might notice a few flaws here and there. 

This is just my personal opinion about the book. 

I think even those who haven’t read much should give it a try at least once. It has some really good parts and a few things I didn’t love, perhaps my expectations were different. 

✷ Let's quickly see the good and not so good parts of this book : 

• THE PROS : 

First, let’s talk about the pros, starting with Krishna’s character. I loved how Chitra Banerjee wrote Krishna—his dialogues and presence are so  heartfelt that you can imagine him around you whenever he appears in the book. His conversations with Draupadi are strong, emotional and so enchanting. Their connection felt so real that it really touched me emotionally and I felt this was exactly what I needed to hear,even without realizing it. 

The second thing I liked was the dialogue in general—some hit hard and linger in your mind. One of his lines got me:

 “I am your friend. I will always protect you. But remember, I will also test you.”

 It shows that Krishna is not only a comforting presence, but also a guardian angel to you , when the path is difficult and you have nowhere to go .

Since the book is written from a feminist perspective, Draupadi is portrayed as an ordinary woman facing extraordinary challenges, which makes you think about what you would feel in her situation. If you read it, try to put yourself in Draupadi’s place at least once. * Chitra Banerjee has written the dialogues very efficiently.

The third thing I loved is the cover—it's truly unique and perfectly matches the vibe of "illusion" in the title A Palace of Illusions.

The fourth point I loved is the title of this book, "The Palace of Illusions." It's a profound truth that this world is an illusion, a realm of Maya. 

The title fits the book well, both literally and metaphorically. In the book, the "Palace of Illusions" refers to the Pandavas' Mayanagri(Indraprastha). But I felt that it also expresses the idea that our entire world is an illusion.  I could connect this title of the book to the world of illusion; this is really the palace of illusion where we are living. As Krishna himself quoted:

 “Everything you see is an illusion. The only reality is the one you carry inside you.”

These four aspects stood out the most to me as well as some of the early and final chapters really shook me emotionally and left a significant impact on me. I truly enjoyed the conversations between Draupadi and Dhrishtdhyumna (her brother) or Dhri (as he's called in the book). 

• THE CONS :

Now, about the things I didn’t like. There are a couple of major issues I couldn’t ignore. Not every character resonated as strongly with me, particularly when it came to Kunti and Karna. 

 If I start with Karna, he was one of the greatest warriors in the Mahabharata no doubt on that, but he was still on the wrong side. I felt that Chitra Banerjee tried too hard to justify him. I don’t believe there was genuine love or romantic tension between Draupadi and Karna as depicted in the book.

At most, Draupadi might have felt guilty for insulting him at the swayamvar. However, after everything that happened, it didn’t make sense to show her developing romantic feelings for him. People say Karna had all the qualities of the five Pandavas combined, but Krishna didn’t side with him because he was on the wrong side.

I can accept that Draupadi had to live with five husbands and suffered humiliation, but I found the portrayal of her feelings toward Karna to be forced and somewhat unrealistic.

The second weak point is Kunti’s character. She’s portrayed like typical melodramatic heroine and not as she actually was (i just felt that*) . I believe,in reality, she was incredibly strong, moral, and resilient. She raised the Pandavas well, and I don’t think she ever harboured the kind of thoughts or attitude toward Draupadi that this book suggests (the brinjal episode* got me laughing). The same goes for how Draupadi is shown to feel about Kunti,it just didn’t feel true to me. 

Besides these issues,at times Draupadi felt a bit impulsive and annoying to me , (though her determination,honesty and rawness kept me hooked ).

•  THE CONCLUSION : 

Overall, I’d say you should read this book at least once. It’s not bad, but it’s not perfect either.There’s room for improvement, and that’s okay

These are just my thoughts. Someone else might love this book more or less than I did. I’d still recommend reading it once.

To me, this line from Draupadi’s voice captures the point of the whole book:

"In the end, the only thing that mattered was that I had lived."

If you’ve read The Palace of Illusions, I’d like to know what you think. Did you see the characters in the same way, or do you have a different perspective?

P.S:)) Apart from this particular work if you enjoy Chitra Banerjee, you should also try The Forest of Enchantments which tells Sita’s story and which I liked even more, or The Last Queen, another one of her best works. If you’d like me to review either of those, please leave a comment and let me know! 

I enjoy discussing books and would appreciate your recommendations, suggestions, and comments. If you liked this review, please share it and continue reading. I've tried to keep it simple.

BESIDES, I'm always up for a discussion!

P.S(2)... IF YOU LIKED IT, DO CHECK OUT MY OTHER BLOGS AS WELL AND PLEASE GIVE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THEM .

Till then, keep reading...