He is a vagrant because, in the state of the law, it is that or starve. But people have been brought up to believe in the tramp-monster, and so they prefer to think that there must be some more or less villainous motive for tramping. ibid.
Indeed, when one sees how tramps let themselves be bullied by the workhouse officials, it is obvious that they are the most docile, broken-spirited creatures imaginable. ibid.
It is an extraordinarily futile, acutely unpleasant life. ibid.
But the important point is that a tramp’s sufferings are entirely useless. He lives a fantastically disagreeable life, and live it to no purpose whatsoever. ibid.
I shall never again think that all tramps are drunken scoundrels, nor expect a beggar to be grateful when I give him a penny, nor be surprised if men out of work lack energy, nor subscribe to the Salvation Army, nor pawn my clothes, nor refuse a handbill, nor enjoy a meal at a smart restaurant. That is a beginning. ibid.
Was it the way he walked? His expression? His moustache? His hat or his cane? Chaplin: Charlie the tramp. Exactly a century after his first appearance in front of the camera, the tramp remains the icon of motion pictures, its most famous silhouette, its greatest star. Chaplin: The Birth of the Tramp, Sky Arts 2022
The Twentieth Century was only a few hours old when young Chaplin who had already left school was dividing his time between music hall tours and small ill-paid jobs. ibid.
‘I thought I would dress in baggy pants, big shoes, cane and a derby hat. I wanted everything in contradiction … By the time I walked on the stage, the Tramp was fully born.’ ibid.
I’ve got a right to … sock you in the earhole. Play for Today: Edna, the Inebriate Woman starring Patricia Hayes, Edna at dosshouse without cards, BBC 1971
Oh, Edna. I’ve got nowhere for you to go. They are closing all the beds in the women’s wing except for the one-night casuals. I’d take you in if I could. I’m sorry. ibid. geezer
I haven’t had a meal since yesterday. I didn’t have a meal today. I kept going on apples. ibid.
You couldn’t spare half a quid for a good time with two naughty girls? ibid. tramp to driver of car
Either I write here you’re disturbed and recommend you be admitted to a psychiatric hospital, or I say you’re sane and send you back to the court to deal with you as they see fit. Now which would you like? ibid. Shink to Edna
Everybody wants pills, dear. ibid. psychiatric inmate to Edna
Why didn’t they let me stay in the nick? ibid. Edna
They can live fulfilled lives. There should be hostels like ours everywhere … These are people, not monsters. ibid. hostel head
It is not in the public interest to operate a hostel in this particular area. You have one month from this date to cease operations. ibid. outcome of public inquiry
He called me a dirty tramp. My own father. Rebel Without a Cause 1955 starring James Dean & Natalie Wood & Sal Mineo & Jim Backus & Ann Doran & Corey Allen & William Hopper & Rochelle Hudson & Edward Platt & Nick Adams et al, director Nicholas Ray, Natalie Wood in rozzers’ station
Estragon: Nothing to be done.
Vladimir: I’m beginning to come around to that opinion. Samuel Beckett: Waiting for Godot
Vladimir: May one enquire where His Highness spent the night? ibid. Vladimir
Estragon: In a ditch. ibid.
Suppose we repented? ibid. Vladimir
People are bloody ignorant apes. ibid. Estragon
Estragon: Let’s go.
Vladimir: We can’t.
Estragon: Why not?
Vladimir: We’re waiting for Godot. ibid.
What about hanging ourselves? ibid. Estragon
Don’t let’s do anything. It’s safer. ibid. Estragon
We’ve no rights any more? … We’ve lost our rights. ibid.
Do you want a carrot? ibid. Vladimir
His name is Godot? ibid. Estragon
Estragon: No use struggling.
Vladimir: One is what one is. ibid.
You’re not Mr Godot, sir? ibid. Estragon to Pozzo
The more people I meet the happier I become. ibid. Pozzo
You can’t drive such creatures away. The best thing is to kill them. ibid.
The tears of the world are a constant quantity. ibid.
I can’t bear it any longer. ibid.
Will night never come? ibid. Vladimir
That’s how it is on this bitch of an Earth. ibid. Pozzo
In the meantime nothing happens. ibid. Estragon
Nobody comes. Nobody goes. It’s awful. ibid.
Given the existence as uttered forth in the personal works of Puncher and Wattmann of a personal God quaquaquaqua with white beard quaquaquaqua outside time without extension who from the heights of divine apathia divine athambia divine aphasia loves us dearly with some exceptions for reasons unknown but time will tell and suffers like the divine Miranda with those who for reasons unknown but time will tell are plunged in torment plunged in fire whose fire flames ... is established beyond all doubt ... that man ... wastes and pines ... for reasons unknown. ibid. Lucky
I don’t seem to be able to depart. ibid. Pozzo
Vladimir: That passed the time.
Estragon: It would have passed in any case.
Vladimir: Yes, but not so rapidly. ibid.
I sometimes wonder if we wouldn’t be better off alone. ibid. Estragon to Vladimir
What is there to recognise? ibid.
The best thing would be to kill me. ibid.
I can’t go on like this. ibid.
This is becoming really insignificant. ibid. Vladimir
We always find something, eh Didi, to give us the impression we exist. ibid. Estragon
Let’s abuse each other. ibid.
Let us not waste our time in idle discourse. ibid. Vladimir
We have kept our appointment. ibid.
We are all born mad. Some remain so. ibid. Estragon
We’re bored to death. There’s no denying it. ibid. Vladimir
What’ll we do? ibid. Estragon
Have you not done tormenting me with your accursed time! ibid. Pozzo to Vladimir
I don’t know what to think any more. ibid. Vladimir
I can’t go on. ibid.
Why don’t we hang ourselves? ibid. Estragon
I can’t go on like this. ibid.
We’ll hang ourselves tomorrow. Unless Godot comes. ibid. Vladimir
Estragon: Well shall we go?
Vladimir: Yes, let’s go [They do not move]. ibid.