EXISTENTIALISM
Literary
Theory
INTRODUCTION:
Existentialism
is a literary movement of English literature which mainly aims at expressing
the human existence as it is. It focuses more on individual
existence, freedom and choice. It raises the cardinal questions
of human existence, such as…
Who am I?
From where did I
come?
Where will I go?
What is the
meaning of my life?
Existentialism
mainly deals with the idea or philosophy that “I am
responsible for my life, my situations, my conditions.”
The movement
of existentialism began in the mid19th century, became popular towards the end
of the 19th century and reached its peak in mid-20th
century in French and English literature.
EXPLANATION:
Existentialism
is the modern theory or philosophy of life. This philosophy of existentialism
is based on the idea that every man defines his own meaning in life.
This world and this life are irrational and meaningless. But it the individual
duty of every man to understand this world and life and make them
meaningful.
Religion,
politics, marriage system, education – all are different branches (or rather
labels given by us) to understand this life and our existence. But the
existentialist rejects all these systems and focuses only on individual
existence and understanding.
Existentialists
believe that it is your responsibility to give your life meaning in
this absurd world, and the only way to do that is to live your worthless life
to the fullest - passionately, sincerely, and authentically.
It focuses on
the question of human existence, and the feeling that there is no
meaning of this life. This philosophy also holds the idea that, as there
is no God or any other transcendent force, the only way
to counter this nothingness is by embracing existence. Man
is born and hence he has to live his life till death, whether it is meaningless
or meaningful.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF EXISTENTIALISM:
1. Existentialism
believes in sincerity and authenticity.
2. A central idea
of Existentialism is that “existence precedes essence”, which means
that the most important consideration for individuals is that they are
individuals rather than labels, roles, stereotypes or definitions.
3. This world is
meaningless until we label the world forcefully.
4. Existential
philosophers and writers focus more on subjective (individual) experiences,
beliefs.
5. Existentialists
express the personal feelings such as freedom, guilt, pain, regret, love, agony
etc.
MAJOR
WRITERS/EXAMPLES OF EXISTENTIALIST LITERATURE:
Albert Camus,
Jean Paul Sartre, the French writers, Friedrich Nietzsche, a German
philosopher, Samuel Beckett, an Irish author are the greatest exponents of
existentialist literature.
1. ‘Waiting for
Godot’ by Samuel Beckett
2. ‘No Exit’ by
Jean-Paul Sartre
3. ‘Metamorphosis’
by Franz Kafka
4. ‘The Birthday
Party’ by Harold Pinter
5. ‘The Stranger’
by Albert Camus
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