Malone dies
Malone dies (French Malone Meurt , English Malone Dies ) is a novel by Samuel Beckett . It was first published in French in 1951 and later translated into English by the author himself.
classification
Malone dies forms the second part of a series of novels called a trilogy by Beckett , which begins with Molloy and ends with The Nameless . However, there is no direct reconnection to Molloy , either in terms of plot or characters. The name of the title character Malone is based on the playful contraction of M alone (M alone). While Molloy and Moran are still moving in the outside world, the life of the dying Malone only takes place in the inner world of his room. Depending on the situation, the protagonist's freedom of movement is also restricted. The process of dying is an increasing migration into oneself. Passivity and contemplation determine the protagonist until his death.
action
The plot is extremely sparse: Malone is dying, can only move his head and one hand, and is concerned about himself and the world around him. Almost nothing happens externally, but inwardly Malone reflects in detail on the issues that move him: his body (especially its sexuality, handicaps and the disgust for it), his search for meaning and God, loneliness and death. While Malone argues to himself, he tells himself stories for which he invents the life of the Saposcat family and the events in the Hospital St. John of God .
review
Arnold Thünker on Beckett's trilogy of novels: “This trilogy already indicates what breaks out in ' Waiting for Godot ', the own time of waiting in the world ... The second, 'Malone dies', starts more energetically:' Me will finally be dead soon after all. Maybe next month. It would be April or May then. Because the year has hardly advanced, a thousand little signs tell me. ' ... Beckett was living in Paris when he wrote this, and he earned his living with translations. Beckett was not only a master of absence and reduction in his work. "
literature
- Samuel Beckett: Molloy. Malone dies. The Nameless One, 2005, three novels in one volume, ISBN 978-3-518-45672-9 )