The Dumb Waiter
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Key Facts
full title · The Dumb Waiter
author · Harold Pinter
type of work · Drama
genre · Drama/comedy
language · English
time and place written · 1960 in London, England
date of first production · January 1960
publisher · Grove Press
narrator · No narrator; drama
climax · The climax occurs when Ben pulls his gun on Gus
protagonist · Both men share the role of protagonist, although the audience may empathize with Gus primarily
antagonist · Wilson and, eventually, Ben
setting (time) · Modern day
setting (place) · The basement of a café
falling action · Gus and Ben stare at each other in silence
tense · Play; present tense
foreshadowing · There are a few clues that Ben will betray Gus, such as his slip-up when giving directions to Gus; the messages from the dumb waiter show that the café is not defunct, as Ben says it is
tone · Violent, comic
themes · The Silence and Violence of Language; Anxiety Over Social Class
motifs · Repetition
symbols · The dumb waiter
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