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 mid-19th 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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