Samuel Beckett was a distinguished Irish novelist, writer, director, poet, and so much more (“Samuel [Barclay] Beckett”). Beckett was most famously known for his play Waiting for Godot, and in the 20th century he is praised and studied for his works of absurdity and existentialist themes. Samuel Beckett works with the idea that humans are complex beings. He sees the human mind and body are separable from one another, and his characters in his works have been frequently involved in meaningless, repetitive cycles. Because of Beckett’s perspective on existence and the complexity of human nature; Beckett may have viewed childhood obesity as a personified manifestation of human vulnerability and struggle. 

              In Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot the play goes over the idea of the absurdity of waiting. The overall plot to this play follows two main protagonist Vladimir and Estragon; They are waiting for a man named Godot. While they are waiting for Godot, they pass the time talking about multiple subjects, such as being arrested or even hanging oneself. As days go by, the audience are introduced to a few more characters, an example is a boy, whose purpose is to let Vladimir and Estragon know that Gadot will come tomorrow. It is also interpreted as a “depiction of the pointless, uneventful, and repetitive nature of modern life, which is often lived in anticipation of something which never materializes. It is always just beyond the horizon, in the future, arriving tomorrow” (Tearle). This can resonate with children who grew up with obesity and now struggle with this disease in adulthood; They may feel stuck in a pattern of unhealthy habits and though they want to break free, they may feel powerless to do so. Therefore, they would be stuck in this endless cycle of waiting for change, just like Valdimir and Estragon in the endless cycle of waiting.

            Looking at another one of Samuel Becketts works, Happy Days is a two act play about a woman named Winnie, who just so happens find herself trapped in barren a landscape. Winnie has found herself buried up to her waist in the earth. Further in the play Winnie does descend further in the ground, until she is all but a head. As the play carries on, Winnie tries to keep her usual routine, while dealing with her newfound predicament, and despite this unusual predicament, she lives a somewhat normal life and tries to remain optimistic. Once again there is the element of absurdity of waiting for change, but there is a few more elements to this play such as “a reflection of the complexities and challenges of human relationships and the need for companionship even in the face of isolation and despair” (“Krapp’s Last Tape Novel”)This can tie into childhood obesity both physically and mentally; Winnie being physically trapped can symbolize the internal struggle children may experience with being trapped in a limited body and how it can take a toll on mental health as well.

            Childhood obesity can impose a series of physical disadvantages, but it can also risk mental strain and can cause possible mental illnesses. Children facing this disease may deal with the feeling of isolation, wanting to be socially accepted, and can lead to exclusion. Bullying and judgment is something most children go through regardless, but in addition to being overweight, they may feel a sense of rejection based on their appearance. Isolation can be seen in Krapp’s Last Tape, a one-act play written by Samuel Beckett and was first performed in 1958 (“Krapp’s Last Tape Novel”). The recurring theme in this specific play is the feeling of regret and isolation throughout the years and is about looking back to the past and self-reflection. Krapp, the main protagonist listens to a series of tapes recorded in his younger days, and it reminds him of how he used to be and shows the audience who he was and who he became. As Krapp listens to his youthful tapes the daunting reminder that time is limited arises. The play dives deep into meaningful themes such as loss, regret, and loneliness. Not only that, but the comparison of play to childhood obesity could empower children to seize moments and take charge of their health. Children must build meaningful connections while they can so they can have a great support system and help find belonging.

            Endgame, another well-known play by Samuel Beckett, is known for its absurdity around the idea of waiting for death and hopelessness. Four characters are introduced: Hamm and Clov, who represent the human brain and Nagg and Nell who represent memory (“Endgame by Samuel Beckett”). The play takes place in a post-apocalyptic era, and said characters are waiting around for death in a confined space. During this wait there is the consistent pattern of meaningless actions, purposelessness, and repetitive attempts of trying to gain control. The repetition seen within the play can correlate with how obesity can lead to the same repetitive pattern of searching for new quick dieting fads. When all fails, this repetitious behavior can lead to hopelessness, and managing weight is in a way like a waiting game. Children who struggle with obesity in society may feel trapped in an never-ending cycle of trying to prove their self-worth. Another point would be the limited space, and how just like in the play, this space represents psychological harm and entrapment, which can also validate how children growing up with obesity struggle internally with oneself.

            While Samuel Beckett’s plays and writing never address childhood obesity directly, the correlation within his work resonates with the struggles children may face growing up with childhood obesity. Looking back obesity is an absurdity itself and poses a real threat to the nation. Within Beckett’s work the similarities of despair, isolation, acceptance is found and with this absurdity, reminds readers of the human condition and its vulnerability. Through Beckett’s work one can seek solutions that address this growing problem, and understand its complexity further, and hopefully inspire more to take action against this disease of childhood obesity.

           

           Works Cited

    “Endgame by Samuel Beckett: Critical Analysis.” Bachelor and Master,  www.bachelorandmaster.com/globaldrama/endgame.html. Accessed 4 Aug. 2023.

 “Krapp’s Last Tape Novel Summary by Samuel Beckett.” Literopedia, 16 June 2023, literopedia.com/krapps-last-tape-novel-summary-by-samuel-beckett.

"Samuel (Barclay) Beckett." Gale Literature: Contemporary Authors, Gale, 2005. Gale Literature Resource Center, link.gale.com/apps/doc/H1000006745/GLS?u=txshracd2496&sid=bookmark-GLS&xid=8f60bead. Accessed 4 Aug. 2023.

Tearle , Oliver. “A Summary and Analysis of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.” Interesting Literature, 23 Apr. 2023, interestingliterature.com/2021/06/beckett-waiting-for-godot-summary-analysis/.