Worstward Ho Summary

"Worstward Ho" contains no characters, no plot as such, and is an exploration of language and its purposes. In this way, it dares the reader to bring his or her own interpretation to the page. The narration commands the reader to do a number of things, such as to consider a body, and a place, which would make a story. The narration returns constantly to a void and staring eyes; to the concept of a body, and a place. As illustration, it uses an old man and a child walking hand in hand, but remarks that the void is unchanged.

Throughout the narration, the concept of 'failing better' comes up several times, as the circular repetition of the above concepts takes place. There is joy as the man and the child plod, Beckett writes, and a woman's back. There is longing...