Anxiety

Definition

Anxiety refers to a state of unease or apprehension, often stemming from uncertainty about the future or a fear of the unknown. It is a prominent theme in literature, particularly in the context of post-war disillusionment and existentialism, where characters grapple with feelings of alienation, dread, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Post-war literature often reflects the heightened anxiety experienced by individuals in the wake of conflict, showcasing characters who feel lost and uncertain.
2. Anxiety is frequently portrayed as a driving force behind characters’ actions and decisions, highlighting their struggles with identity and purpose in an unpredictable world.
3. Writers like Samuel Beckett and Albert Camus use anxiety to explore themes of absurdity, where characters confront the meaningless nature of existence.
4. The feeling of anxiety in literature can manifest through various literary techniques, such as stream-of-consciousness narration or fragmented storytelling.
5. In existentialist literature, anxiety is often depicted as an unavoidable part of the human experience, prompting characters to confront their freedom and choices.

Review Questions

• How does anxiety manifest in post-war literature, and what implications does it have for character development?
  • In post-war literature, anxiety manifests through characters’ internal struggles with uncertainty and fear. This emotional turmoil often drives their actions and decisions as they navigate a world that feels chaotic and unpredictable. As characters confront their feelings of alienation and loss, their development becomes more complex, highlighting their search for identity and meaning amid disillusionment.
• Discuss how existentialist writers portray anxiety as a central theme in their works and its significance to the overall message.
  • Existentialist writers like Sartre and Camus portray anxiety as an inherent part of the human condition. By emphasizing the absurdity of life and the inevitability of death, these authors use anxiety to illustrate the struggle individuals face in seeking meaning within an indifferent universe. This portrayal invites readers to reflect on their own existence and confront their choices, ultimately reinforcing the existentialist message of embracing freedom and responsibility.
• Evaluate the relationship between anxiety and themes of alienation in post-war existential literature, considering their impact on societal views.
  • The relationship between anxiety and alienation in post-war existential literature reveals deep-seated concerns about individual isolation within modern society. As characters grapple with their anxiety in an increasingly fragmented world, their feelings of estrangement become emblematic of broader societal issues. This exploration not only critiques post-war realities but also encourages readers to reconsider their connections with others and the meaning of community in a time marked by disillusionment and uncertainty.

Related terms

Existentialism: A philosophical movement emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice, often exploring themes of absurdity and the human condition.

Alienation:

The feeling of being isolated or estranged from one’s surroundings or community, commonly experienced by characters facing existential crises.

Absurdism: A philosophy asserting that human beings exist in a purposeless, chaotic universe, leading to a conflict between the search for meaning and the silence of the universe.