The Theme of Absurdity
Winnie, a middle-aged woman, is the central character of the play. For inexplicable reasons, she is buried in a mound, in the middle of nowhere. In Act One, we see her buried up to her waist. In Act Two, she is buried up to her neck. Her husband, Willie, is buried in a hole behind her.
Beckett has made a notable contribution to the Theater of the Absurd, an outcome of The Second World War. It defies norms and transcends the boundaries of logic. There is a deliberate attempt to create incoherence and turn away from the feasible. The ending is ambiguous, and the audience is left to make their interpretations.
A Sense of Pseudo-Optimism
Winnie’s day starts with a loud, ringing noise that sounds like a school or prison bell, rather than a morning alarm. All through the day, she carries out the repetitive acts of tooth brushing, combing her hair, wearing a hat, and looking into the mirror. She tries to appear enthusiastic in doing mundane jobs like cataloging the contents of her bag and peering at the words printed on her toothbrush. The first act of the play conveys a sense of optimism and cheer. It portrays Winnie’s indomitable spirit, to rise above the odds. She reassures herself that these are her 'happy days' and hopes for a better tomorrow.
Beckett depicts a world in which trapped, alienated, and suffering humans seek refuge in pseudo-optimism. They wait for something special to happen in their lives.
Past Memories
Memory is a constant theme in the play. The contents of Winnie's black bag evoke recollections of a past life. Throughout the play, Winnie tries to engage Willie in a conversation. She longs for his attention and endeavors to regain lost love. She mourns the transitory nature of relationships.
Winnie recollects the story of a child, Mildred, who undresses her doll, in the middle of the night. The narrative suggests that Winnie is haunted by the memory of a traumatic, childhood event. Winnie's memory often fails. She struggles to recall half-forgotten quotations and early sexual encounters. The line that demarcates the past and the present often gets obscured.
A Loveless Marriage
'Happy Days' analyses the pathos of a disintegrating marriage. Winnie embodies a woman who faces estrangement. She experiences an existential dilemma. She longs for intimacy and validation and yet, fears bondage and subservience. Beckett portrays the predicament of post-war, urban couples who face the pressures of work, marital discord, loneliness, and boredom.
The Failure of Language
In the second act, Winnie is buried up to her neck, and all she has is her words. Perhaps Beckett wants us to listen to her, in a way that her husband never does. In an uninterrupted monologue, Winnie reflects on language and its meaning, the pleasures of repetition, the reassurance of habit, and the desire to be heard. All along, she laments on 'how words fail.' Willie’s indifference highlights the insignificance of language. It reflects the tragedy of a situation when communication breaks down and gives way to silence.
The Inevitability of Death and Decline
The contents of Winnie's bag keep deteriorating. They symbolize the futility of optimism. The toothbrush is worn and has few bristles left. The toothpaste and lipstick are about to run out. The medicines are over. The parasol is burnt. The presence of the revolver indicates the inevitability of death and decline. Beckett chooses to end the play on an ambiguous note. Does the black tuxedo symbolize an impending funeral, or does it represent a meaningless existence? Does Willie use the gun on himself, or is he 'dressed to kill' Winnie? The audience is left to draw their conclusions.
Beckett was Irish, and burial mounds are common in Ireland. They represent a Neolithic burial practice and house the cremated remains of the dead. These visually striking monuments symbolize death and the belief in something beyond death.
