Human Wishes (c. 1936–1937, fragment) by Samuel Beckett (Symbolism and Motifs)

 

Human Wishes (c. 1936–1937, fragment)

by Samuel Beckett

(Symbolism and Motifs) 

Symbolism and Motifs in Human Wishes (c. 1936–1937, fragment) by Samuel Beckett

Though unfinished, Human Wishes contains a rich symbolic framework that deepens its philosophical concerns. By dramatizing a period in the life of Samuel Johnson as he composes The Vanity of Human Wishes, Beckett transforms historical material into a meditation on desire, impermanence, and existential strain. The symbols and recurring motifs within the fragment subtly reinforce the play’s central insight: human aspiration is both necessary and tragically fragile.

 

1. The Manuscript as a Symbol of Defiance

One of the most significant symbols in the play is the manuscript of Johnson’s poem itself. It represents more than literary labor; it symbolizes the human attempt to resist oblivion. Johnson writes in order to shape thought into permanence, to carve meaning into the shifting sands of time. The manuscript stands as a fragile monument against mortality.

Yet it is also a symbol of irony. The poem critiques ambition and worldly desire, even as its creation is driven by Johnson’s own longing for recognition and stability. Thus, the manuscript becomes a double-edged emblem: both a protest against vanity and an expression of it. It embodies the paradox of human effort—striving for permanence while acknowledging impermanence.

 

2. Illness as a Motif of Decay

Tetty’s failing health functions as a recurring reminder of physical vulnerability. Illness in the play is not merely a medical condition but a symbolic presence of decay and limitation. It intrudes upon intellectual ambition, domestic life, and emotional stability.

This motif underscores the contrast between intellectual aspiration and bodily fragility. Johnson may dream of lasting achievement, but the human body remains subject to decline. The presence of sickness anchors the philosophical discourse in lived reality. Mortality is not abstract; it is present in the home.

 

3. Light and Darkness

The imagery of dim interiors, fading candles, and shadowed spaces reflects the intellectual and emotional atmosphere of the fragment. Light suggests reason, clarity, and creative effort, while darkness represents uncertainty, doubt, and the unknown future.

The flickering candle—often associated with the act of writing—symbolizes both persistence and precariousness. It burns as long as it can, yet its flame is fragile and temporary. In this image, Beckett captures the tension between endurance and extinction that defines the human condition.

 

4. Silence and Pauses as Motifs of Isolation

Although written in verse, the play carries moments of emotional stillness and unspoken strain. Silence operates as a subtle motif, particularly in domestic exchanges. Conversations falter; understanding remains incomplete.

These pauses suggest emotional isolation. Even within marriage, connection is imperfect. The motif anticipates Beckett’s later dramatic technique, where silence becomes as meaningful as speech. The absence of words reflects the limits of communication and the solitude inherent in consciousness.

 

5. Time as an Invisible Presence

Time functions as an overarching motif throughout the fragment. It is never personified directly, yet it presses upon every action. Johnson’s urgency to complete his poem, Tetty’s declining health, and the anxiety over reputation all reflect an acute awareness of passing time.

Time symbolizes both opportunity and erosion. It allows for creation but ensures decay. This dual role reinforces the tragic irony of human wishes: the very medium in which achievement occurs is also the force that eventually dissolves it.

 

6. The Unfinished Fragment as Structural Symbol

Perhaps the most profound symbolic element is the fragmentary nature of the play itself. Its incompletion mirrors the incompletion of human desire. Just as Johnson’s aspirations remain uncertain within the narrative, Beckett’s text remains suspended without resolution.

The fragment becomes a structural metaphor for life’s unfinished quality. Human projects, ambitions, and relationships rarely conclude with tidy closure. In leaving the work incomplete, Beckett unintentionally—or perhaps intuitively—creates a powerful symbol of existential openness and uncertainty.

 

Conclusion

The symbolism and motifs in Human Wishes subtly intensify its philosophical exploration. The manuscript, illness, light and darkness, silence, and time converge to create a layered meditation on ambition and limitation. Even at this early stage of his career, Beckett demonstrates a remarkable sensitivity to symbolic resonance.

Through these recurring images and patterns, the fragment suggests that human life is defined not merely by failure, but by the persistent attempt to create meaning in the face of fragility. The tragedy—and perhaps the quiet dignity—of humanity lies in continuing to write, to hope, and to strive, even as the candle burns low.