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Communication & Journalism - Beckett's Dying Words: The Clarendon Lectures 1990 (Clarendon Lectures in English)

Description

Book Synopsis: Most people want to live forever. But there is another truth: the longing for oblivion. With pain, wit, and humor, the art of Samuel Beckett variously embodies this truth, this ancient enduring belief that it is better to be dead than alive, best of all never to have been born. Beckett is the supreme writer of an age which has created new possibilities and impossibilities even in the matter of death and its definition--an age of transplants and life-support. But how does a writer give life to dismay at life itself, to the not unwelcome encroachments of death, when it is for the life, the vitality of their language that we value writers? Beckett became himself as a writer when he realized in his very words a principle of death: in clichés, which are dead but won't lie down; in a dead language and its memento mori; in words which mean their own opposites, like cleaving; and in what Beckett called a syntax of weakness. This artful study explores the relation between deep convictions about life or death and the incarnations which these take in the exact turns of a great writer, the realizations of an Irishman who wrote in English and in French, two languages with different apprehensions of life and of death.

Details

Discover the profound wisdom and dark humor of Samuel Beckett in his groundbreaking work, Beckett's Dying Words: The Clarendon Lectures 1990. This compelling collection of lectures delves into the timeless human desire for oblivion, challenging conventional notions of life and death. With a masterful blend of pain, wit, and thought-provoking insights, Beckett captivates readers, exposing the enduring belief that it is more desirable to be dead than alive, and even better to have never been born.

As the supreme writer of our era, Beckett fearlessly explores the complexities of death and its ever-evolving definition. In an age of medical advancements, transplants, and life-support systems, Beckett's work resonates with a deep longing for release from the burdens of existence. But how does one breathe life into the very words expressing a disdain for life itself? Beckett's brilliance lies in his ability to infuse vitality into his language, crafting powerful narratives from the ashes of his own despair.

In this illuminating study, Beckett's language becomes a testament to the paradoxical nature of existence. From the persistence of clichés, which refuse to surrender their lifeless grip, to the use of a language on its deathbed, Beckett challenges conventional syntax and defies linguistic boundaries. His words playfully twist and turn, their meanings evading expectations and embracing their own opposites. It is within these linguistic marvels that Beckett unveils a profound syntax of weakness, inviting readers to confront the existential mysteries of life and death.

Dive into this captivating exploration of Samuel Beckett's deep convictions about life, death, and everything in between. This remarkable collection of lectures provides a unique insight into the mind of a great writer who maneuvered effortlessly between the English and French languages, each with its own distinct notions of existence. Beckett's Dying Words: The Clarendon Lectures 1990 offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of human existence, leaving you pondering the very essence of life itself.

Embrace the profound wisdom of Beckett today and unveil the timeless secrets of life and death.

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