For what is this shadow of the going in which we come, this shadow of the coming in which we go, this shadow of the coming and the going in which we wait, if not the shadow of purpose, of the purpose that budding withers, that withering buds, whose blooming is a budding withering.
In the quote from Samuel Beckett's "Watt," the author reflects on the nature of existence, highlighting the cyclical patterns of coming and going that characterize life. He suggests that these cycles create a shadow, representing an underlying purpose that seems both elusive and transient. This purpose, according to Beckett, is intertwined with the idea of growth and decay, where each phase of life—budding, blooming, and withering—is a reflection of the other.
Beckett’s contemplation suggests that life is a continuous interplay of beginnings and endings, where our experiences are defined by their impermanence. The way he phrases the "shadow" symbolizes the intangible nature of purpose, indicating that while we strive for meaning, it remains a transient concept, constantly shifting as we navigate through the ups and downs of existence.
