And for what I have done ill and for what I have done well and for what I have left undone, I ask you to forgive me. And I ask you to think of me always--bugger these buttons--with forgiveness, as you desire to be thought of with forgiveness, though personally of course it is all the same to me whether I am thought of with forgiveness, or with rancour, or not at all. Good night.
In the concluding remarks of the character from Samuel Beckett's "Watt," there is a plea for forgiveness that transcends the personal. The speaker acknowledges their shortcomings and their accomplishments, as well as the missed opportunities in their life, seeking compassion for all of these aspects. This sentiment underscores a desire for understanding from others, regardless of the emotional weight carried by those who reflect upon them.
The complex nature of forgiveness is central to the speaker’s message, highlighting the universal need for others to remember us favorably. However, the speaker seems detached, suggesting that external perceptions, whether positive or negative, hold little significance to them. This ambiguity invites the reader to contemplate the importance of forgiveness in the human experience, culminating in a poignant farewell.
