Existentialism In The Stranger By Camus And Tolstoy

Camus and Tolstoy have both expressed their opposing beliefs through the protagonists of their story. Meursault in The Stranger demonstrates Camus’ existentialist beliefs that nothing matters while Ilyich in The Death of Ivan Ilyich illustrates Tolstoy’s view that life can only be given meaning by empathizing with others. These clashing existentialists ideals are the things that distinguish Tolstoy from Camus. Near the end of the lives of both characters, they are able to display the message each author has for their audience through an epiphany. Camus is able to display that life has no meaning and that nothing will be able to influence to the universe, proving the futility of valuing anything. Contrarily, Tolstoy portrays the importance of empathy to give one’s life a meaning or …show more content…
It is only during the period near his death that he realizes what gives his life meaning. Through his interactions with his helper, Gerasim, he realizes that he and the people around him like his wife and acquaintances are living artificial lives. Tolstoy is able to express to his readers his belief that a life lead by selfish desires for material possessions is a life wasted for nothing. Tolstoy, through his character Ilyich, is able to show that life can only be given value by empathizing with others, understanding their needs and placing importance in the bonds and feelings created between individuals. Only near his death that Ilyich realizes that his wife and associates who disregard his deteriorating condition because of their focus on their own selfish agendas are truly pitiable for their inability to understand what truly is important. It is ironic because Ilyich finally understands only through associating with Gerasim, a lower class individual who truly showed compassion and kindness, instead from his family and the aristocrats who are blinded by