Arguably, Harold Pinter`s Drama has gained a lot of attention since the time it began in the 1950s.Pinter’s works have actually been credited and as such, he has received awards as a result. As a matter of fact, Pinter’s work has been associated with ambiguity and resentment in the sense that the aspects of uncertainty along with umbrage have been prevalent amongst the characters. So to speak, there seems to be an underlying concept of morality in Pinter’s work. As such, it has been expressed by means of ambiguity and resentment as tools of expression. Therefore, ambiguity and resentment are sources for an underlying concept of morality or normativity in Pinter’s work.
In this context, there will be an exploration of Pinter’s work in detail so as to ascertain the prevalence as well as points of resentment and ambiguity. Following this point, the points of uncertainty and resentment will be made use of in order to establish their relationship with the concept of morality. Subsequently, it will then be established whether ambiguity and resentment being the primary elements in Pinter’s work may be understood as sources for an underlying concept of morality or normativity.
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In consistent with this point, Harold Pinter drama has been associated with great use of silence as a means of increasing tension, mysterious little talk and understatement as characters seek to dominate and thus retain their identity whenever they felt threatened. Common themes in regard to Harold Pinter’s drama are as such fascination and jealousy, mental disturbance and family hatred, nameless threats and erotic flight of the imagination.
According to Raby, (2001), plays like Pinter’s The Room, The Birthday Party and The Caretaker according to Pinter’s remarks are realistic. This is to ascertain the point that the drama addresses the real life situations (p.74). The concept of morality comes in by means of the plays being devoid of purpose an aspect that brings about illogical meaning. Accordingly, Pinter has employed the use of mastery over language as a form of controlling ones’ precipitous exits, hasty withdrawals and instant disguises. This brings about the uncertainty as a means of a corrupt morality. In this sense, characters presented in the works have manipulatively used language to protect their identity. Grimes (2005) asserts that in Pinter’s work, the space that is given to morality to express itself seemingly shrinks in Pinter’s political theatre (p.31). In fact, Pinter’s Drama challenges those that adhere to the enlightenment tradition. This is to suggest that the drama challenges those that hold to the popular attitudes that social justice is possible.
As well, the drama portrays that moral forces no longer work as well as the fact that societal moral correction is an exercise in futility. It is also evident in Pinter’s work when he defines individuals by means of the pre-existing power relations. In essence, the thoughts, actions and experiences of the characters have not been able to escape the interest of power already in existence. Needless to say, Pinter’s work implies that freedom, equality and democracy are as such illusionary and worse as they give room through which individuals rule others.
Actually, Pinter’s dramatization of old and the new political system conflict, is supported by The Birthday Party with a statement that’ what is old is good, take my tip’. On the other hand, Cody & Sprinchorn (2007) adds that the characters in Pinter’s work talk, fail to talk and in the larger perspective, they break into moments of silence which is an indication of despair that is prevailing in their worlds (p.226). For instance, in The Caretaker, Davis the old man is homeless and unemployed and as such, he lacks control over his life. In this context, it is imperative to state that Pinter’s drama has action and silence as the only means through which meaning can be conveyed since language has been misused (p.226).
Ambiguity and resentment are two primary elements of Pinter`s work and as such they Can be understood as sources for an underlying concept of morality or normativity. This is given to the reason that when morality is not practiced, individuals portray resentment and a sense of uncertainty. Basing argument on this point, it is arguable that ambiguity and resentment are sources for an underlying concept of morality or normativity. In order to develop in this point, extensive research of the actual content of Pinter’s work is important.