The Theme of Isolation in The Caretaker

Question: Discuss The Theme of Isolation in The Caretaker by Harold Pinter.

Introduction

Isolation is one of the most important themes of Harold Pinter’s play “The Caretaker”. Harold Pinter presents in his play frustration, loneliness, loss of communication, and isolation of modern people. He expresses isolation or loneliness through the characters, especially Davies and Aston. Davies is a vagrant character who does not have family, shelter, job, or target in his life. As opposed to, Aston needs a company that’s why he rescues Davies from the brawl at the cafe.

Unpleasant working environment

An unpleasant working environment is one of the most important reasons for isolation. At the very beginning of the play, we notice that Davies fights with others at the cafe because a Scotchman asks him to take the bucket of rubbish outside. But Davies refuses to do so. He says that his job is to clean the floor clear up the tables and do a bit of washing-up; and nothing to do with taking out buckets. Davies realizes that he and Scotchman are of the same status. On the other hand, Aston works at the factory where he is neglected by his company because of his talkative nature though it is a natural problem. So Unpleasant working environment is the reason for isolation.

Characters are cut off from society

Harold Pinter displays characters who are cut off by society. In the play, we notice that Davies is the rejected person from working-class people. He is jobless and barbaric who does not have relations with his family, friends, even wife. On the other hand, Aston is very far-from society. He is isolated from society. Even he does not have any well-communication with his own younger brother, Mick. So, they feel very isolated.

Racial prejudice

Racial prejudice is the main reason for isolation and loneliness because it creates differences between black and white. Black people neglect white people. In the play, when Davies tells Aston about their neighbours, Aston replies that their neighbours are barbaric and vagrant who come here from the Indian subcontinent and another side of Africa. Then Davies says that he does not like these colours people because their status is poor. On the other side, Mick neglects Davies and tells him old tramp, a vagrant, barbaric and liar. So racial prejudice is one of the reasons for isolation and loneliness.

Want of Gratitude and loyalty

Gratitude and loyalty are very important for human beings. But Davies is a different one. Aston saves him from fright and gives shelter in his house but Davies plays the role against Aston and Mick to divide them. Davies gives objection to Mick against Aston but Mick shows love for his brother and tells Davies a liar, old tramp, vagrant, barbaric, and so on. Even When Mick gives him a job as a Caretaker to make his house like a penthouse, he does not work properly and objects against Aston that Aston does not give him the proper instrument. But when Davies says that he is not an experienced interior decorator, Mick makes a verbal assault on Davies. Mick tells him every word he speaks can be interpreted differently. Most of the words are lies. He is violent, unreliable, and completely unpredictable. Mick calls him a wild animal and a barbarian. Mick also speaks him that Davies has failed to go to Sidcup to bring his identity card for references. For this reason, Mick refuses him from the job of caretaker.

Levels of isolation

Levels of isolation are very important in the play. Pinter shows two levels of isolation through Davies and Aston. Through Davies, Harold Pinter displays the isolation of working-class people and through the Aston, Harold Pinter expresses the isolation of well-beings or upper-class people. Working-class people are isolated by the loss of home, job, family, or shelter. They cannot communicate with upper-class people or well-being people. So, they feel isolated and lonely. On the other hand, upper-class people like Aston are isolated for lack of proper communication, self-centered nature, and egoism. So, they are the victim of isolation.

Inability to understand the significance of relationship

Inability to understand the significance of the relationship is the main problem of modern people. In the play, we notice that Aston always complains against Davies. Aston says that he cannot sleep for Davies’ snorting and in the mid-night, Aston breaks up Davies’ sleep and forces him to stop his snorting. On the other hand, Davies tries to divide two brothers for this reason Davies complains against Aston. At last, Mick rejects Davies from his job. So, isolation comes back to Aston and Davies’s life.

Lack of proper conjugal relationship

A proper Conjugal relationship is the best paradigm of pleasure and happiness. But lack of proper conjugal relationships brings isolation and loneliness. But in the play, Harold Pinter does not show any marital or conjugal life that means family and wife. So, isolation is the most important theme of the play “The Caretaker”.

Conclusion

In termination, we undoubtedly say that Harold Pinter properly shows isolation through the characters. At the end of the Play, three characters are separated from each other and continue to live of life of isolation. So, isolation is the horror of modern life because it punches life towards death.

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Shihabur Rahaman
Shihabur Rahaman
Articles: 403

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