Get Started
Home Authors Tags

"استراگون: کاری نمیشود کرد"

Samuel Beckett
Samuel Beckett Playwright
Translations
🇺🇸 English 🇨🇳 中文 🇪🇸 Español 🇪🇬 العربية 🇫🇷 Français 🇮🇷 فارسی 🇯🇵 日本語
Quote meaning
Estragon's words capture a sense of resignation, almost like he's throwing his hands up in the air and saying, "Well, that's that." At its core, this quote is about feeling stuck, believing that no action can change the situation at hand. It’s a way of expressing helplessness — like when you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work, so you just accept it.

To really get the feel of when and why this was said, you’ve got to think about the play "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett. The characters, Estragon and Vladimir, are basically waiting around for someone who never shows up. It’s a play that captures the essence of waiting and the apparent futility that comes with it. In a post-World War II era, this reflected a lot of the existential angst people were feeling — like nothing they did could change the chaos and uncertainty around them.

Let’s bring it to real life with a detailed example. Imagine you're working in a job that you just can't stand. You’ve talked to your boss, tried switching teams, even looked for other jobs — but nothing works out. Every day feels like a drag. You reach a point where you think, "There's nothing to be done." You might stop caring as much about your work, just going through the motions until something — anything — changes.

Now, how can you use the wisdom in this quote? First off, recognize when you're feeling stuck. Sometimes just acknowledging that you feel this way can be a wake-up call. Instead of throwing in the towel completely, use that realization as a moment to step back. Maybe it's not about solving the problem in one go. Maybe it's about finding small ways to regain some control or shift your perspective. Talk to a mentor, take a mini-break, or even just breathe and clear your head.

Here’s a little story to put this into perspective. Think about a guy named Mike. Mike's been trying to write his first novel for years. He’s got tons of ideas, but nothing ever sticks. He spends late nights at his computer, staring at the blinking cursor, feeling more and more defeated. One night, he slams his laptop shut and thinks, “Nothing to be done.” Mike decides to take a break from writing. He starts reading more, goes on long walks, and even tries cooking as a new hobby. After a few months, he opens his laptop again, and the words start flowing. It wasn’t that there was truly nothing to be done — he just needed a different approach.

In a nutshell, it’s about recognizing the point where your usual methods aren't working and giving yourself permission to try something else. Sometimes, doing ‘nothing’ for a bit can be the most productive thing you do. So, next time you feel like there’s nothing to be done, remember Estragon. Maybe it’s not about the situation being unchangeable. Maybe it’s about finding a different way to tackle it.
Related tags
Absurdism Conflict Despair Existentialism Hopelessness Philosophy Samuel beckett Theatre Waiting
MORE QUOTES BY Samuel Beckett
FEATURED QUOTES
Surprise me with another quote
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon X Icon Threads Icon