Clifford Odets "Waiting for Lefty"

Upon reading the title of Odets play, I couldn't help but draw a similarity between this play and Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot".  Although Odets play was written in 1935 and Beckett's was written in 1948, one cannot ignore the similarities between the two poems.  Despite the fact that Odets play offer itself up to a more literal interpretation and Beckett's takes a more absurdist/existentialist approach, both plays deal with essential the same theme.

One obvious similarity is the title.  In both titles, it is clear that the characters in the play will be "waiting" for someone (duh).  From the beginning of both plays, the viewer can tell that there is a greater purpose to this waiting.  In "Waiting for Lefty" there are several frustrated and underpaid workers waiting for "Lefty", a man who has the ability to lead a workers strike.  In "Waiting for Godot" there are two clueless characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who are waiting for "Godot", an person who they are willing to wait forever for.  The characters in both of these plays believe that the arrival of this person or entity will severely improve their condition.  The characters in Odets play believe that Lefty has the skill to lead them in an effective strike, whereas the characters in Beckett's play believe that Godot will fill some void in their lives.  The characters in both plays believe that they can do nothing in the absence of this missing character, for they don't have the power to accomplish things on their own.

At the end of "Waiting for Lefty" we discover that Lefty has been shot and killed.  Lefty's death inspires the work to begin the strike that they had been putting off until his arrival.  Perhaps the characters in the play have gained more from Lefty's absence than his presence.  Upon discovering that Lefty was dead, the workers banned together to start the strike that they had only talked about before.  Instead of depending upon Lefty's leadership, they were forced to rely upon their own passion and knowledge.

At the end of "Waiting for Godot", Vladimir and Estragon agree to continue waiting for Godot to arrive, even though the audience is aware that Godot is either never coming or does not exist.  The absurdity of Beckett's play highlights the absurdity of the human condition.  Rather than relying on ourselves, we rely on the greatness of others to inspire us and fill a void in our lives.  

Hence both plays end with the same overall theme, don't sit around waiting for someone else to lead or inspire you, for no one is able to lead or inspire you better than yourself.