The Dumbwaiter Essay Example

expression "Light the Kettle" into a severe physical confrontation.

Ben's ruthless pursuit of dominance through the use of force, particularly seen in his act of "grabbing him with two hands by the throat, at arm’s length", showcases the struggle for authority. Pinter significantly highlights the mutual reliance between Ben and Gus throughout the play within their relationship characterized by dominance and submission. The characters' dependencies on each other for defining roles in life form a crucial aspect of Ben and Gus’s relationship. Gus's consistent submissiveness towards Ben’s commands and requirements, a repetitive behavioral pattern throughout the play, offers both characters a clear defined rank in their relationship.

Significantly, Ben's ability to play the Master only holds validity if Gus willingly accepts his subordinate status within their relationship. This mutual dependency is put into question when the demands of the Dumbwaiter challenge Ben's supremacy. Attempting to please the enigmatic dumbwaiter while maintaining his dominance over Gus, Ben's authority increasingly erodes. The arrival of the dumbwaiter poses a threat to Ben's ability to operate within their dynamic, evident as Gus starts questioning the emergence of the dumbwaiter.

Ben's reply, marked by its vagueness, seems to say "Well that all depends-" From my perspective, it appears that Pinter's choice of using the dumbwaiter could be seen as an endeavor to challenge the roles Ben and Gus play within their bond. Clearly, the appearance of the dumb waiter questions the dominant-subordinate dynamic, a key aspect of Ben and Gus's relationship.

The compelling qualities of the dumb waiter make it excessively hard for Ben to exercise authority over Gus due to the presence of an unidentified higher-up. This flaw in Ben's character becomes

evident as he takes on a subservient role, stating, "Good evening, I apologize for the inconvenience, but we figured it would be best to inform you that we have nothing left." Ben's capacity to fulfill his superior role is noticeably undermined by his fear of the dumb waiter's demands.

The frailty of Ben's character plays a major role in his interactions with Gus, as it occasionally hampers his ability to control Gus. There's a moment in the drama where Gus seems to dispute the silent waiter's requests and assumes a role of power, exclaiming "We’ve got nothing left! Nothing! Don't you get it?" However, Ben instantly reasserts his dominance over Gus by physically striking him "back-handed across the chest" and then verbally subduing him with "Stop it! You're manic."

As the drama unfolds, Gus is undoubtedly nervous in his dealings with Ben, taking on an investigator-like attitude. Numerous hints throughout the play suggest Gus's prevailing anxiety. Gus boldly questions the dominant Ben, asking "Why did you stop the car on the road this morning?"

It's clear that Ben strives to assert his existence in relation to Gus; he frequently proposes notions which point to his dominance in their relationship. His desperation to highlight his higher status within their relationship is evident when he questions why Gus interrogates him so much. His most striking demonstration of authority is observed when he urges Gus with "Who’s in charge here, me or you?", reminding Gus of his subordinate status to Ben.

Gus's interactions with Ben often liken him to a human "dumb waiter", given his effortless manipulation and hushing by a dominant figure. He frequently finds himself under the thumb of Ben,

conforming to every request that is made of him. Essentially, Gus adopts the position of a subservient individual, yielding to each of Ben's orders. Without a doubt, the assertive Ben endeavors to dictate and restrict Gus's actions. Throughout the play, one can note Gus being silenced by Ben. There are numerous incidents where Gus says "I wanted to ask you something"; however, his inquiry is persistently disrupted by Ben.