🌄World Literature II Unit 5 – Existentialism and Absurdism

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Existentialism emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and responsibility
  • Focuses on the individual's search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless or absurd world
  • Stresses the importance of personal choice and commitment in the face of an uncertain future
• Absurdism explores the fundamental conflict between the human tendency to seek meaning and the apparent meaninglessness of the universe
  • Highlights the absurdity of the human condition and the futility of the search for purpose
• Authenticity involves being true to oneself and taking responsibility for one's choices and actions
• Angst refers to the feelings of anxiety, dread, and despair that arise from the realization of the absurdity and meaninglessness of life
• Nihilism is the belief that life is without inherent meaning, purpose, or value
  • Often associated with feelings of despair and the rejection of traditional moral and religious principles
• Subjectivity emphasizes the importance of individual perspective and experience in understanding reality and truth
• Free will is the idea that individuals have the power to make their own choices and determine their own actions

Historical Context and Origins

• Existentialism and Absurdism emerged in the early to mid-20th century, primarily in Europe
  • Developed in the aftermath of World War I and World War II, which shattered traditional beliefs and values
  • Influenced by the horrors of war, the rise of totalitarianism, and the increasing industrialization and urbanization of society
• Existentialism has roots in the works of 19th-century philosophers such as Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche
  • Kierkegaard emphasized the importance of individual choice and commitment in the face of uncertainty and despair
  • Nietzsche challenged traditional moral and religious values and proclaimed the "death of God"
• Absurdism grew out of the Existentialist movement and was heavily influenced by the works of Albert Camus
  • Camus explored the absurdity of the human condition and the futility of the search for meaning in a meaningless world
• The Existentialist and Absurdist movements were also influenced by the works of phenomenologists such as Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger
  • Phenomenology emphasized the importance of subjective experience and the individual's relationship to the world

Major Philosophers and Writers

• Jean-Paul Sartre was a French philosopher, playwright, and novelist who is considered one of the key figures of Existentialism
  • His major works include "Being and Nothingness," "No Exit," and "Nausea"
  • Sartre emphasized the idea of "existence precedes essence," meaning that individuals create their own essence through their choices and actions
• Albert Camus was a French-Algerian philosopher, novelist, and playwright who is closely associated with Absurdism
  • His major works include "The Stranger," "The Myth of Sisyphus," and "The Rebel"
  • Camus explored the absurdity of the human condition and the individual's struggle to find meaning in a meaningless world
• Simone de Beauvoir was a French philosopher, writer, and feminist who made significant contributions to Existentialism
  • Her major works include "The Second Sex" and "The Ethics of Ambiguity"
  • De Beauvoir emphasized the importance of individual freedom and the need to take responsibility for one's choices and actions
• Franz Kafka was a German-language writer from Prague whose works are often associated with Absurdism
  • His major works include "The Metamorphosis," "The Trial," and "The Castle"
  • Kafka's works often depict individuals struggling against bizarre, bureaucratic, and seemingly meaningless systems

Core Themes and Ideas

• The primacy of individual existence and the importance of personal choice and responsibility
  • Existentialism emphasizes that individuals are free to create their own meaning and purpose in life through their choices and actions
• The absurdity of the human condition and the futility of the search for meaning in a meaningless world
  • Absurdism highlights the fundamental conflict between the human desire for meaning and the apparent meaninglessness of the universe
• The importance of authenticity and being true to oneself
  • Existentialism stresses the need for individuals to take responsibility for their lives and to live in accordance with their own values and beliefs
• The experience of angst, dread, and despair in the face of an uncertain and seemingly meaningless existence
  • Existentialist and Absurdist works often explore the feelings of anxiety and despair that arise from the realization of the absurdity of life
• The rejection of traditional moral and religious values and the emphasis on individual subjectivity
  • Existentialism and Absurdism often challenge traditional belief systems and emphasize the importance of individual perspective and experience
• The human struggle for freedom and the need to take responsibility for one's choices and actions
  • Existentialist and Absurdist works often depict individuals grappling with the consequences of their choices and the weight of their responsibilities

Literary Techniques and Styles

• Existentialist and Absurdist literature often employs a non-linear or fragmented narrative structure
  • This reflects the chaotic and disjointed nature of human experience and the absence of a clear, overarching meaning or purpose
• The use of irony, paradox, and absurdity to highlight the contradictions and absurdities of human existence
  • Existentialist and Absurdist works often use humor and irony to underscore the fundamental absurdity of the human condition
• The exploration of the inner thoughts, feelings, and experiences of individual characters
  • Existentialist and Absurdist literature often focuses on the subjective experiences of characters and their struggles to find meaning and purpose in life
• The use of symbolism and allegory to convey deeper philosophical and existential themes
  • Existentialist and Absurdist works often employ symbolic and allegorical elements to explore complex ideas and themes related to the human condition
• The incorporation of elements of the absurd, surreal, and grotesque
  • Existentialist and Absurdist literature often features bizarre, surreal, and grotesque elements to underscore the strangeness and absurdity of human existence
• The use of sparse, minimalist language and a focus on concrete, everyday details
  • Existentialist and Absurdist works often employ a stripped-down, minimalist style that emphasizes the stark realities of human experience

Notable Works and Examples

• "The Stranger" by Albert Camus
  • A novel that explores themes of absurdity, alienation, and the search for meaning through the story of Meursault, a detached and emotionally indifferent man
• "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett
  • A play that epitomizes the Theatre of the Absurd, featuring two characters who engage in seemingly meaningless dialogue and actions while waiting for the arrival of the enigmatic Godot
• "No Exit" by Jean-Paul Sartre
  • A play that explores themes of existential freedom, responsibility, and the nature of human relationships through the interactions of three characters trapped in a room together for eternity
• "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka
  • A novella that depicts the absurd and surreal transformation of Gregor Samsa into a giant insect, highlighting themes of alienation, isolation, and the loss of identity
• "The Myth of Sisyphus" by Albert Camus
  • A philosophical essay that explores the absurdity of the human condition and the individual's struggle to find meaning in a meaningless world
• "Nausea" by Jean-Paul Sartre
  • A novel that follows the existential crisis of Antoine Roquentin, who becomes increasingly aware of the contingency and absurdity of his existence

Critiques and Controversies

• Critics argue that Existentialism and Absurdism promote a pessimistic and nihilistic worldview
  • Some argue that these philosophies lead to feelings of despair, hopelessness, and a lack of moral responsibility
• Existentialism and Absurdism have been criticized for their emphasis on individualism and subjectivity
  • Critics argue that this focus on the individual can lead to a neglect of social and political issues and a lack of concern for the common good
• Some critics argue that Existentialist and Absurdist works are overly intellectual and inaccessible to a general audience
  • The complex philosophical ideas and abstract themes explored in these works can be challenging for readers unfamiliar with the underlying concepts
• Existentialism and Absurdism have been criticized for their lack of clear ethical and moral guidelines
  • Critics argue that the emphasis on individual choice and responsibility can lead to moral relativism and a lack of shared values
• Some critics argue that Existentialist and Absurdist works are overly self-indulgent and narcissistic
  • The focus on individual experience and the inner lives of characters can be seen as a form of self-absorption and a neglect of the broader human community
• Existentialism and Absurdism have been criticized for their alleged lack of practical solutions to the problems of human existence
  • Critics argue that these philosophies offer little guidance for how individuals should live their lives and navigate the challenges of the modern world

Modern Relevance and Impact

• Existentialism and Absurdism continue to influence contemporary literature, philosophy, and popular culture
  • The themes and ideas explored in these movements remain relevant to the ongoing human struggle to find meaning and purpose in life
• Existentialist and Absurdist ideas have been applied to a wide range of contemporary issues and debates
  • These include discussions of personal identity, social and political engagement, and the role of technology in modern life
• The emphasis on individual freedom and responsibility in Existentialism and Absurdism has influenced the development of humanistic psychology and psychotherapy
  • Therapists and counselors often draw on Existentialist and Absurdist ideas to help clients navigate the challenges of modern life and find meaning and purpose in their experiences
• Existentialist and Absurdist themes continue to be explored in contemporary films, television shows, and other forms of popular media
  • These works often grapple with questions of identity, alienation, and the search for meaning in a complex and uncertain world
• The legacy of Existentialism and Absurdism can be seen in the ongoing philosophical and cultural debates about the nature of human existence and the role of the individual in society
  • These movements have helped to shape the way we think about the human condition and the challenges of living in the modern world
• Existentialism and Absurdism have influenced the development of postmodern and post-structuralist thought
  • The emphasis on subjectivity, the rejection of grand narratives, and the exploration of the absurdity of human existence in these movements have helped to pave the way for later developments in continental philosophy and critical theory