“We must love life more than the meaning of it” ( Dostoyevsky, n.d.). World War II brought tremendous change to those involved, and the consequences left many without purpose or direction. People began to lose their faith and become sensitive to the outcomes that accompany the misfortune of the world. Without any guidance or direction from a higher being, individuals sought to find meaning in their existence (Fiero, 2011). These ideas brought forth a very significant philosophical movement during the twentieth century, called the Existential Movement. Most Existential philosophers, psychologists, theologians, and literary figures, focused less on interdependent self-construal and more on independent self-construal of human beings (Scarince, 2015).
…show more content…
Stating that individuals live their lives as if it has meaning when in reality there is none; also, people take blame for events occurring, rather than believing that some higher force caused them. This movement and the ideas that derived from it became the inspiration for many artists throughout the twentieth century. One famous writer, Arthur Miller, used existential ideals to write his play Death of a Salesman, which surrounds the life of Willy Loman, his wife Linda, and two sons, Biff, and Happy. Miller depicts Willy as a good man with good intentions, disoriented by the difficulties, stresses, and failures of finding meaning to his life. His delusions and strife to make a better life for his family, ultimately led to the loss of his life (Miller, 1949). Throughout this play, three main themes are discussed: The American Dream, reality versus illusion, and abandonment and
Stating that individuals live their lives as if it has meaning when in reality there is none; also, people take blame for events occurring, rather than believing that some higher force caused them. This movement and the ideas that derived from it became the inspiration for many artists throughout the twentieth century. One famous writer, Arthur Miller, used existential ideals to write his play Death of a Salesman, which surrounds the life of Willy Loman, his wife Linda, and two sons, Biff, and Happy. Miller depicts Willy as a good man with good intentions, disoriented by the difficulties, stresses, and failures of finding meaning to his life. His delusions and strife to make a better life for his family, ultimately led to the loss of his life (Miller, 1949). Throughout this play, three main themes are discussed: The American Dream, reality versus illusion, and abandonment and