Existential criticism

Definition

Existential criticism is a literary approach that examines the themes of existence, freedom, and choice, often focusing on the individual's struggle to find meaning in an indifferent or absurd world. It highlights how characters navigate their own existence while confronting issues such as alienation, despair, and the quest for authenticity, reflecting the broader philosophical ideas associated with existentialism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Existential criticism emerged prominently in literature during the mid-20th century, influenced by thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus.
2. This type of criticism analyzes how characters confront their own existence and make choices in a world that lacks inherent meaning.
3. Existential criticism often emphasizes themes of isolation and alienation, showcasing how individuals relate to themselves and others in their search for significance.
4. Key texts in existential criticism frequently feature protagonists who grapple with despair and the struggle for authenticity, making it a rich field for analysis.
5. The impact of World War II on literature was significant, as many authors used existential criticism to address trauma, loss, and the human condition in a post-war society.

Review Questions

• How does existential criticism help us understand character motivations in French literature?
  • Existential criticism sheds light on character motivations by focusing on their inner struggles with freedom, choice, and the search for meaning. In many French literary works, characters often face dilemmas that force them to confront their existence in an indifferent world. This perspective reveals how their decisions reflect deeper philosophical inquiries about authenticity and the nature of human experience.
• Discuss the role of absurdity in existential criticism as seen in key French literary works.
  • Absurdity plays a crucial role in existential criticism by illustrating the conflict between human desire for meaning and the chaotic nature of existence. In works like Albert Camus' 'The Stranger,' characters experience life as fundamentally absurd, which underscores their emotional isolation. This lens allows readers to engage with how these narratives question societal norms and highlight individual freedom in a seemingly meaningless universe.
• Evaluate how existential criticism reflects societal changes in post-war France through its depiction of individual identity.
  • Existential criticism reflects societal changes in post-war France by emphasizing themes of individual identity amidst uncertainty and disillusionment. As authors responded to the trauma of war, they portrayed characters grappling with profound questions about existence and authenticity. This focus on personal struggle resonated deeply with contemporary audiences, as it mirrored their own search for meaning in a rapidly changing world, thus positioning existential literature as a crucial commentary on post-war society.

Related terms

Absurdism:

A philosophical perspective that emphasizes the inherent meaninglessness of life and the conflict between individuals' search for meaning and the universe's silence.

Authenticity: The degree to which individuals are true to themselves and their values, often explored in existential literature as characters seek genuine existence amidst societal pressures.

Nausea: A novel by Jean-Paul Sartre that exemplifies existential themes, portraying the protagonist's feelings of disorientation and existential dread in a seemingly meaningless world.