Need help with understanding After the Bomb question!

[jadeconnerr]

Hi,
For my Ext 1 Midcourse, we have been given the question:

“Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind” - John F. Kennedy 1961
Analyse how composers of the texts you have studied explore this notion.
The texts we have are Waiting for Godot, Sylvia Plath and Pale Fire.

Just wondering if anyone could help in guiding my essay points?

Thanks!

[elysepopplewell]

Hi,
For my Ext 1 Midcourse, we have been given the question:

“Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind” - John F. Kennedy 1961
Analyse how composers of the texts you have studied explore this notion.
The texts we have are Waiting for Godot, Sylvia Plath and Pale Fire.

Just wondering if anyone could help in guiding my essay points?

Thanks!

Hi there!

There's a few different ways to interpret this, and unfortunately I haven't studied Pale Fire so I can't suggest ways to link there.

I think to me the essence of the JFK statement is a paradox - it internalises itself. There's an irony in the fact that 'mankind' began war, and if 'mankind' doesn't stop it, it will stop 'mankind'

So there's that semi-ironic situation there. I think this is seen especially in Waiting for Godot, so much waiting for something supposed to save them, but that saviour never arrives.

So I'd personally take the paradoxical approach, But you could also look at it in the way of the very real threat of war and war's potential to eliminate all forms of life. This was a very real threat in these times. You could look at it contextually.