Student Question

Compare and contrast Gus and Ben in The Dumb Waiter.

Quick answer:

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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To compare and contrast two things (or, in this case, people) is to discuss things that are similar and different about them.

Gus is inexperienced, and it comes across in his impatience and his inability to settle down. Ben, on the other hand, is experienced and far more accustomed to the long waits that come with the job. For example, Gus fixates on how long the toilet takes to fill, while Ben matter-of-factly states that the problem is a deficient ballcock. While Ben calmly sits and reads, Gus is walking around and complaining about the lack of windows.

Speaking of complaining, Gus has a penchant for it, while Ben challenges him and reminds him that their job doesn't offer much to complain about.

BEN. You get your holidays, do you?

GUS. Only a fortnight.

BEN (lowering the paper). You kill me. Anyone would think you're working every day. How often...

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do we do a job? Once a week? What are you complaining about?

GUS. Yes, but we've got to be on tap though, haven't we? You can't move out of the house in case a call comes.

Gus likes to chat, while it seems that Ben would love nothing more than some peace and quiet. Gus jumps from one topic to the next, from the crockery to the lack of wireless to asking Ben why he stopped the car in the middle of a road earlier that day. Ben, on the other hand, simply wants to know when Gus is going to make tea and "stop jabbering."

When the box of matches appears under the door, it becomes apparent that Ben is the one who gives orders and Gus is the one who follows them. I would also argue that Gus, for all his impatient energy, proves to be the more observant of the two. It's Gus who notices the envelope being pushed under the door. He follows the instructions that an arguably nervous Ben provides, opening the envelope, identifying the contents, and showing the matches to Ben.

In a nutshell, Gus is chatty and curious, while Ben is reserved and practical. While Gus questions every aspect of their surroundings and the job, Ben is happy to accept the status quo.

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