Absurdism

• The Absurd: What then is meant by the notion of the Absurd? Contrary to the view conveyed by popular culture, the Absurd, at least not what Camus had stated, that it does not simply refer to some vague perception that modern life is fraught with paradoxes, incongruities, and intellectual confusion. Instead, as he emphasizes and tries to make clear, the Absurd expresses a fundamental disharmony, a tragic incompatibility, in our existence. In effect, he argues that the Absurd is the…

The Importance of Absurdity Our capacity to differentiate right from wrong in this world makes up a large part of who we are. Whenever we criticize the aspects of our lives, we assert ourselves, our ideas, and everything we have experienced and endured. Our ability to hold the world up to our standards lends us a feeling of power and control over our lives, giving us our pride and credibility as individuals, but when it is taken away from us, it renders us feeble, fearful, and helpless to…

Throughout time, philosophers have continuously been in search of the answer to this, “Meaning to life” that no one man has ever been able to fully explain or come to conclusion about. No consensus seems to ever be reached; and there are several reasons for this and consequences as well that Camus touches on throughout his Nobel Prize winning piece of literature. This essay aims to construct an analysis of Camus’ work, and pose arguments for and against several points made by Camus. I will…

Albert Camus wrote The Stranger during the Existentialist movement, which explains why the main character in the novel, Meursault, is characterized as detached and emotionless, two of the aspects of existentialism. In Meursault, Camus creates a character he intends his readers to relate to, because he creates characters placed in realistic situations. He wants the reader to form a changing, ambiguous opinion of Meursault. From what Meursault narrates to the reader in the novel, the reader can…

As Svidrigailov reveals more of his personality and perspective about the world around him, Svidrigailov most dangerous aspect to his character is his ignorance and resistance to believe in religion as well as not having a conscientious belief. In Svidrigailov’s conversation with Raskolnikov, Svidrigailov introduces the foundations of his belief of the world by stating that heaven is not vast and wonderful but “there will be one little room there, something like a village bathhouse, covered with…

In the excerpt from the passage “Down the River,” Edward Abbey ventures through Aravaipa Canyon in New Mexico, while writing of his adventure. Observing his surroundings and by comparing the nature to life, Abbey establishes an attitude of wonder while also being judgmental towards nature. The author had many attitudes towards the Canyon. One of his many attitudes included wonder. Edward always showed a sense of wondering while going through the Canyon, always finding things. The passage…

An artist’s identity sprouts from the roots of the societal values to which he or she establishes themselves in. Through their creation they establish an artistic vision that is both critized and praised by the practical among them that tries to create a conformicy within its citizens. “The Artist of the Beautiful” by Nathaniel Hawthorne demonstrates how Owen Warfield, an unconvetional artist that strives for public approval, finds his artist identity in a utilitarian world. Although Owen…

In The Stranger, Camus uniquely uses the sun by portraying the sun as a symbol for feelings and emotions which Meursault cannot control. The sun becomes an amplifier for feelings of anxiety and passiveness which Meursault feels because of the environment in which he lives in. Relating to the death of the Arab, the sun shows a direct influence to Meursault’s actions and impel him to act on inclination and draw his gun on the Arab. Camus uses the sun to present a barrier between Meursault and the…

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead Through the Existentialist Lens Tom Stoppard decided to pick up where Shakespeare left off. Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead is the untold tale of two minor characters from the play Hamlet. A theme not covered much in Hamlet is existentialism. Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes individual existence, choices, possibilities, the unknown, and the vastness of the universe. It is the view that humans define their own meaning in life, despite…

Nature’s Overwhelming Power over Mersault For most people, the environment can have an effect on your mood and your actions. However, for Mersault, the main character from Albert Camus’ The Stranger, the effect that nature has on him is so tremendous that it influences him to act irrationally, inappropriately, and illegally. Camus uses literary techniques and devices when describing Mersault’s killing of the Arab to highlight the extraordinary effect that Mersault’s physical stimuli have on him…