Interpretation In The Dumb Waiter

Through the play The Dumb Waiter, Pinter wants to convey that everyone is prone to death. No one is safe in this world. The two hit-men Ben and Gus are waiting for their victim whom they are to kill. They have been paid for the work. But they are unaware of the fact that one of them is the victim. Though Ben and Gus are partners, yet someone has used and employed Ben to kill his own partner – Gus; and this remains a secret with them until the last moment. Gus who, until the last, plays the role of a predator, is at once reduces to the position of a prey – BEN takes out a comb and combs his hair, adjusts his jacket, diminish the bulge of the revolver. The lavatory flushes off left. BEN goes quickly to the door, …show more content…
Being a married woman and after living with her husband for so many years, Ruth readily lets Teddy to leave America alone. Earlier Teddy used to be the nearest person to Ruth whom she knew, loved and wanted the most; but know the same person becomes a stranger, a third person to Ruth, while the two brothers and the father of Teddy become more important persons to her. Now she is all concerned about them and she becomes ready to stay with them. She forgets not only Teddy but also her three sons whom they have left in America. The mother and wife personalities of her character appear lost and dead in her forever. John Bull has nicely commented on the new position owned by Ruth in the family in the following words: Consequently, Ruth, like Jessie, is finally enthroned as mother, lover, and whore in response to the men’s offer to stay on as concubine and prostitute. Some critics have interpreted the atrocious treatment of Ruth as blatant misogyny, but others argue that this reading is far from the …show more content…
Betrayal portrays a series of betrayals within itself which are connected with one another and they entangle the lives of three persons – Robert (Jerry’s friend), Emma (Robert’s life) and Jerry (Emma’s lover). In this play, the theme of betrayal is multi-textured. Emma and Jerry betray Robert by hiding their love affair from him. Again, Emma betrays Jerry by concealing the fact from him that she had already told Robert about her affair four years ago, whereas Robert betrays Jerry who is his best friend by concealing his knowledge about Jerry’s relationship with Emma. Thus, there is betrayal in marriage, love and friendship in this play. To quote John