Verso il silenzio di Samuel Beckett: un'analisi di "Happy Days" e "Not I" attraverso le lenti del trauma.

This thesis analyzes the pervasive presence of trauma in the works of Samuel Beckett, particularly within his iconic post-World War II plays. Rather than a mere backdrop or character backstory, trauma saturates Beckett’s plays, infusing both content and form with its disruptive presence and challenging traditional literary norms. By conducting a comparative analysis of Happy Days and Not I this study unveils how trauma shapes narrative, utilizing language, the body, and memory as mediums for its re-enactment. A central focus lies in the in-depth analysis of Happy Days revealing it as a narrative of trauma and exploring its impact on the characters’ identity, memory, and embodiment, with a particular emphasis on Winnie. Furthermore, the study extends to Not I portraying it as a continuation of Winnie’s journey, linking the fragmented, disembodied voice of Mouth to Winnie’s isolated existence in the face of trauma. Through these explorations, the thesis sheds light on Beckett’s evolving thematic quest for silence, seeking the void beneath language as a response to profound personal losses and traumatic experiences and the overwhelming background of the Second World War.