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The Dumb Waiter

The absurdist elements in The Dumb Waiter are rooted in the overall lack of conventional realism throughout. The two characters are caught in a fantasy-like situation but only obliquely seem to...

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The Dumb Waiter

While Gus is chatty, inexperienced, and curious about his surroundings, Ben is a quiet veteran of the job who would like nothing more than to wait calmly.

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The Dumb Waiter

Ben and Gus' dialogues, silences, and actions in The Dumb Waiter contribute to its characterization as an absurdist play and a comedy of menace by highlighting their powerlessness and the absurdity...

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The Dumb Waiter

In "The Dumb Waiter," Pinter illustrates the frightening nature of communication through Ben and Gus, hired killers who avoid meaningful dialogue. Despite their dangerous profession, their...

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The Dumb Waiter

The initial setting in "The Dumb Waiter" is a cramped basement with a kitchen and bathroom, creating a sense of claustrophobia and tension. The two characters, Ben and Gus, engage in businesslike...

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