Intertextual Echoes: A Comparative Study of Ali's The Last Metaphor and Beckett's Waiting for Godot

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the intertextual relationship between Ali's play The Last Metaphor and Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, employing Kristeva's Theory of Intertextuality as the theoretical framework. Intertextuality refers to the interconnectedness among literary texts, wherein readers can discern echoes of established literary traditions. Using Qualitative Textual Analysis, the study gathers and analyzes data to identify the elements of intertextuality. The findings reveal that the two plays share structural and thematic parallels. The Last Metaphor exhibits a considerable influence from Waiting for Godot, particularly in its setting, characterization, and narrative structure. Both plays explore the human condition and engage with existential concerns, such as meaninglessness, waiting, and the search for identity, albeit within distinct cultural contexts. The findings also highlight that Beckett's dramatic vision significantly resonates within Ali's play, illustrating powerful intertextual connections. Further studies are essential to unveil the underlying thematic and structural interconnectedness among literary texts.