I remember; Therefore, I exist: An existential reading of Harold’s Pinter’s Old Times

Harold Pinter (1930-2008) employs the major themes of the twentieth century in his drama such as the loss of meaning and identity. His characters want to find a sanctuary where they can anchor and define their existence in a world which lacks unity and is beyond the explanation of reason. This shelter they take refuge in is their memories as they assume that the past can provide them with a fixed realm where they can feel meanings. Therefore, Pinter’s pervading theme is memory. Moreover, Pinter’s characters are depicted as they try to persuade others to verify their own memories to assert a stable identity and meaning to their existence. That is, remembrances of their past help them overpower others, so they can feel confident. Considering these, this study aims to explore the use and functions of such themes as memory, existence, identity and gender-power relations in Harold Pinter’s Old Times (1971).