Question

What does Estragon claim about his boots when he finds them again in "Waiting for Godot"?

• A. They are not his
• B. They are too small
• C. They are a different colour
• D. They are comfortable now

Answer 1

Answer:

C. They are a different colour

Understanding Estragon's Boots in 'Waiting for Godot'

• In Samuel Beckett's absurdist masterpiece, 'Waiting for Godot', Estragon (Gogo) is constantly struggling with his ill-fitting boots. This recurring motif symbolizes suffering, the burden of existence, and the futility of human endeavors.
• When Estragon finally manages to take off his boots at the beginning of Act I, he struggles immensely. Later, when he finds his boots again (or seemingly different ones) in Act II, he makes a notable claim: "They’re not the same. They’re a different colour."
• This statement is significant because it highlights the play's central themes:
  • Memory and Perception: Estragon's inability to remember consistently and his shifting perception (e.g., about the boots, the tree) reflect the characters' unreliable memories and the subjective nature of reality in the play. This makes the audience question what is real.
  • The Absurdity of Existence: The changing color of the boots, like many other elements in the play, defies logical explanation, emphasizing the irrational and nonsensical aspects of the human condition in an indifferent universe.
  • The Passage of Time: Although the characters perceive time as passing, their inability to accurately recall events or objects (like the boots) suggests that time's impact is distorted or cyclical rather than linear and progressive.
• The boots are a source of both physical and existential discomfort for Estragon, mirroring the characters' general state of unease and their prolonged, pointless wait.

Key Facts for Competitive Exams:

• 'Waiting for Godot' (original French title: 'En attendant Godot') was first performed in 1953 in Paris.
• It is a seminal work of the Theatre of the Absurd, a term coined by critic Martin Esslin.
• The play has two acts and features a minimalist setting, typically a country road with a single tree.
• The main characters are two tramps, Vladimir (Didi) and Estragon (Gogo), who are waiting for a mysterious figure named Godot, who never arrives.
• Other characters include Pozzo and Lucky, who appear in both acts, and a Boy who delivers messages from Godot.
• Samuel Beckett was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1969.
• The play explores themes such as the meaninglessness of life, the passage of time, hope, despair, friendship, and the human condition.