Moorpark College At the Haws Well & Krapps Last Tape Discussion

Both At the Hawk’s Well and Krapp’s Last Tape are about a character symbolically confronted by his younger self, yet neither the old man nor Krapp can change his fate. Both are left with feelings of regret and loss that cannot be explained or communicated to their younger selves. How are the old man and Krapp’s situations similar? What are these plays saying about human nature, about the nature of youth and experience? Explain your interpretation. (400 words)

1. What’s the Old Man doing at the well? Explain the situation or the premise.

2. Why’s the Young Man there? What’s he looking for? How did he get there?

3. What’s the Old Man’s advice to the Young Man?

4. What’s his purpose: earnest warning, protecting his find, something else?

5. How does the Young Man react to the Old Man’s warnings: defiantly, skeptically, naively, some other way? What’s his drive? How does he represent youth? Or what does he represent?

6. How does the Guardian of the Well trick the Old Man and how does she trick the Young Man? How would you characterize her tactics?

7. What does the play suggest about human nature and the human condition? Is it commentary on the folly of youth or something beyond that?

8. How is At the Hawk’s Well similar to Krapp’s Last Tape?