Le
Sens de la Marche (The Way to Go) – 1953
by
Arthur Adamov
(Symbolism and Motifs)
In
Le Sens de la Marche, symbolism and recurring motifs form the backbone of the
play’s meaning, replacing conventional plot with a network of images and
patterns that convey the characters’ condition. The most dominant symbol is
that of “the march” or movement itself. On the surface, marching suggests
order, discipline, and progress toward a destination. Yet within the play, this
movement is emptied of purpose. The characters continue to move without knowing
where they are going or why they must go at all. The march thus becomes a
powerful symbol of human existence—structured, continuous, and seemingly
purposeful, but ultimately directionless. It reflects the illusion of progress
in a world where true meaning remains inaccessible.
Closely
linked to this is the motif of repetition. Actions, instructions, and fragments
of dialogue recur throughout the play, creating a rhythmic but unsettling
pattern. This repetition symbolizes the mechanical nature of life within the
system the characters inhabit. Rather than moving forward, they circle back on
themselves, suggesting entrapment in an endless loop. The motif reinforces the
idea that existence, instead of unfolding toward resolution, is caught in
cycles that resist change.
Another
significant symbol is authority as an invisible yet pervasive force. The
figures who issue commands often represent more than individual characters;
they stand for systems of control that shape behavior without needing to
justify themselves. Their authority appears arbitrary, yet it is rarely
resisted. This symbolizes the way power operates in many aspects of
life—through expectation, fear, and internalized obedience rather than overt
coercion. The authority figures thus embody not just rulers, but the concept of
control itself.
The
play also uses the motif of fragmented language and broken communication.
Dialogue frequently disintegrates into pauses, repetitions, or contradictions.
This is not merely a stylistic choice but a symbolic representation of the
instability of meaning. Language, which should guide understanding, instead
mirrors confusion. It becomes a tool that fails to connect individuals,
emphasizing their isolation and the impossibility of achieving clarity through
words alone.
Another
recurring element is the sense of confinement and restricted space. Even when
not explicitly described, the environment feels limited, as though the
characters are enclosed within boundaries they cannot cross. This spatial motif
symbolizes psychological and existential confinement. The characters are not
only physically restricted but also trapped within patterns of thought and
behavior that prevent escape.
Finally,
there is the motif of diminished individuality. The characters often seem
interchangeable, lacking distinct identities or personal histories. This
absence functions symbolically to show how the system reduces human beings to
roles or functions. Their identities blur into one another, reinforcing the
idea that individuality is eroded under conditions of constant control and
repetition.
Together,
these symbols and motifs create a cohesive dramatic language through which Le
Sens de la Marche expresses its vision. Movement without direction, repetition
without progress, authority without justification, and language without clarity
all converge to depict a world where meaning is sought but never secured, and
where human existence unfolds within an inescapable pattern of uncertainty.
 – 1953 by Arthur Adamov (Symbolism and Motifs)){kind=link}
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