Existentialism emerged as a philosophical movement in the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on individual existence, freedom, and choice. It challenged traditional philosophical systems and religious doctrines, emphasizing human subjective experience and personal responsibility.

This movement significantly influenced World Literature II by introducing new themes and narrative techniques. Authors explored the human condition through characters grappling with alienation, absurdity, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.

Origins of existentialism

• Emerged as a philosophical movement in the 19th and 20th centuries, emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice
• Developed as a response to traditional philosophical systems and religious doctrines, focusing on human subjective experience
• Influenced World Literature II by introducing new themes and narrative techniques that explored the human condition

Kierkegaard's influence

• Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard laid the foundation for existentialist thought in the mid-19th century
• Emphasized the importance of subjective truth and personal faith over objective knowledge
• Introduced concepts of anxiety, despair, and the "leap of faith" in works like "Fear and Trembling" and "The Concept of Anxiety"
• Criticized Hegelian philosophy and systematic theology for neglecting individual human experience

Nietzsche's contributions

• German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche further developed existentialist ideas in the late 19th century
• Proclaimed "God is dead," challenging traditional moral values and religious beliefs
• Introduced the concept of the Übermensch (superman) as an ideal of self-overcoming and personal growth
• Explored themes of nihilism, will to power, and eternal recurrence in works like "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" and "Beyond Good and Evil"
• Influenced existentialist literature with his emphasis on individual creativity and rejection of absolute truths

Sartre vs Camus

• Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, both French philosophers and writers, became prominent figures in 20th-century existentialism
• Sartre developed a systematic existentialist philosophy, emphasizing radical freedom and responsibility
• Camus focused on the absurdity of human existence and the search for meaning in a meaningless world
• Their philosophical differences led to a public falling out in 1952
  • Sartre embraced Marxism and political engagement
  • Camus rejected systematic philosophies and focused on individual rebellion against absurdity
• Both authors significantly influenced World Literature II through their novels, plays, and essays

Key existentialist concepts

• Existentialism explores fundamental questions about human existence, freedom, and the search for meaning
• Challenges traditional philosophical and religious systems by emphasizing individual experience and subjective truth
• Influenced World Literature II by introducing new themes and narrative techniques that reflect existentialist ideas

Existence precedes essence

• Central tenet of existentialism proposed by Jean-Paul Sartre
• Asserts that humans exist first and then create their own essence through their choices and actions
• Rejects the idea of a predetermined human nature or divine plan
• Emphasizes individual responsibility for creating meaning in one's life
• Influenced literary characters who struggle to define themselves in an uncertain world (Meursault in Camus' "The Stranger")

Freedom and responsibility

• Existentialists argue that humans are fundamentally free to make choices and shape their lives
• This freedom comes with the burden of responsibility for one's actions and their consequences
• Concept of "bad faith" describes the denial of one's freedom and responsibility
• Literary works explore characters grappling with difficult choices and their implications (Sartre's "No Exit")
• Emphasizes the anxiety and anguish that accompany the realization of one's freedom

Absurdity of life

• Existentialists view the world as inherently meaningless and devoid of intrinsic purpose
• Human desire for meaning clashes with the indifference of the universe, creating a sense of absurdity
• Albert Camus explored this concept in "The Myth of Sisyphus," using the Greek myth as a metaphor for the human condition
• Literary works depict characters confronting the absurdity of existence (Kafka's "The Metamorphosis")
• Encourages readers to create their own meaning in the face of life's absurdity

Authenticity vs bad faith

• Authenticity involves living in accordance with one's true self and accepting one's freedom and responsibility
• Bad faith refers to self-deception and the denial of one's freedom and responsibility
• Sartre explored these concepts in his philosophical work "Being and Nothingness"
• Literary characters often struggle between authentic living and bad faith (Garcin in Sartre's "No Exit")
• Authenticity requires confronting difficult truths about oneself and the world, leading to existential angst

Existentialism in literature

• Existentialist philosophy heavily influenced 20th-century literature, particularly in the post-World War II era
• Writers incorporated existentialist themes and ideas into their works, exploring the human condition
• Existentialist literature often features alienated protagonists, absurd situations, and moral dilemmas

Dostoevsky's underground man

• Fyodor Dostoevsky's "Notes from Underground" (1864) is considered a precursor to existentialist literature
• The unnamed protagonist embodies existentialist themes of alienation, freedom, and the search for meaning
• Challenges rationalism and utopian ideals, emphasizing the irrationality of human nature
• Explores the concept of free will and its consequences through the underground man's actions and thoughts
• Influenced later existentialist writers with its psychological depth and exploration of human consciousness

Kafka's alienated protagonists

• Franz Kafka's works feature protagonists who struggle with alienation, absurdity, and bureaucratic nightmares
• "The Metamorphosis" depicts Gregor Samsa's transformation into a giant insect, exploring themes of identity and isolation
• "The Trial" follows Josef K. as he navigates an incomprehensible legal system, highlighting the absurdity of modern life
• Kafka's writing style, known as "Kafkaesque," captures the sense of disorientation and powerlessness in the face of an indifferent world
• His works influenced existentialist literature by portraying the individual's struggle against overwhelming and often absurd forces

Sartre's novels and plays

• Jean-Paul Sartre used fiction to explore existentialist themes and ideas
• "Nausea" (1938) follows Antoine Roquentin's struggle with existence and the absurdity of life
• "No Exit" (1944) explores the nature of human relationships and the concept of "hell is other people"
• "The Age of Reason" (1945) examines the consequences of freedom and responsibility through its protagonist, Mathieu
• Sartre's works often feature characters grappling with moral dilemmas and the weight of their choices
• His writing style emphasizes psychological introspection and philosophical dialogue

Themes in existentialist writing

• Existentialist literature explores the human condition through various recurring themes
• These themes reflect the philosophical concerns of existentialism and their impact on individual experience
• Influenced World Literature II by introducing new ways of examining the human psyche and social dynamics

Alienation and isolation

• Central theme in existentialist literature, reflecting the individual's sense of disconnection from society and others
• Characters often feel estranged from their surroundings, struggling to find meaning or connection
• Manifests in various forms (social, emotional, psychological)
• Explored through narrative techniques like stream of consciousness and unreliable narrators
• Examples include Meursault in Camus' "The Stranger" and Gregor Samsa in Kafka's "The Metamorphosis"

Confronting death

• Existentialist writers emphasize the importance of acknowledging human mortality
• Death serves as a catalyst for characters to examine the meaning and purpose of their lives
• Often portrayed as a source of anxiety and a reminder of life's finite nature
• Characters may struggle with the fear of death or seek to find meaning in the face of inevitable mortality
• Explored in works like Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" and Camus' "The Plague"

Search for meaning

• Existentialist literature often depicts characters struggling to find purpose in a seemingly meaningless world
• Reflects the philosophical concept that individuals must create their own meaning in life
• Characters may engage in various pursuits or experiences in an attempt to discover or construct meaning
• Often involves questioning societal norms, religious beliefs, and traditional values
• Examples include the protagonist in Sartre's "Nausea" and Meursault in Camus' "The Stranger"

Individual vs society

• Explores the tension between individual freedom and societal expectations or constraints
• Characters often find themselves at odds with social norms, institutions, or authority figures
• Reflects existentialist ideas about authenticity and the rejection of predetermined roles or identities
• May involve themes of rebellion, nonconformity, or the consequences of challenging societal norms
• Exemplified in works like Camus' "The Rebel" and Sartre's "The Flies"

Existentialist philosophy

• Explores fundamental questions about human existence, freedom, and the nature of reality
• Emphasizes individual experience and subjective truth over abstract systems or objective knowledge
• Influenced World Literature II by providing new philosophical frameworks for examining the human condition

Being-in-the-world

• Concept introduced by Martin Heidegger in his work "Being and Time"
• Describes the fundamental state of human existence as always already situated in a world of meaning and relationships
• Challenges the traditional subject-object dichotomy in philosophy
• Emphasizes the interconnectedness of human existence with the world and others
• Influenced existentialist literature by focusing on characters' lived experiences and their engagement with their surroundings

Facticity and transcendence

• Facticity refers to the given facts of one's existence (birth, death, physical limitations)
• Transcendence involves the ability to surpass these limitations through choices and actions
• Tension between facticity and transcendence creates the human condition of freedom within constraints
• Explored in literature through characters grappling with their circumstances and striving to overcome limitations
• Examples include the protagonist in Sartre's "The Age of Reason" and Meursault in Camus' "The Stranger"

Existential angst

• Refers to the feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish that arises from the awareness of one's freedom and responsibility
• Often associated with the realization of life's meaninglessness and the burden of creating one's own purpose
• Manifests in literature through characters experiencing psychological turmoil or existential crises
• Can lead to feelings of despair, alienation, or a sense of absurdity
• Explored in works like Sartre's "Nausea" and Camus' "The Myth of Sisyphus"

Radical freedom

• Concept developed by Jean-Paul Sartre emphasizing the absolute freedom of human beings to make choices
• Asserts that individuals are entirely responsible for their actions and the consequences that follow
• Challenges deterministic views of human behavior and emphasizes personal accountability
• Often portrayed in literature through characters facing difficult moral decisions or grappling with the weight of their choices
• Examples include Orestes in Sartre's "The Flies" and Meursault in Camus' "The Stranger"

Critiques of existentialism

• Existentialism faced various criticisms from different philosophical and ideological perspectives
• These critiques challenged existentialist assumptions and highlighted potential limitations of the philosophy
• Influenced the development of post-existentialist thought and literary movements in World Literature II

Marxist perspectives

• Criticized existentialism for its focus on individual experience at the expense of social and economic factors
• Argued that existentialism's emphasis on personal freedom ignored the material conditions that shape human existence
• Viewed existentialist ideas as bourgeois and potentially reinforcing capitalist ideology
• Challenged the notion of radical freedom, emphasizing the role of social and economic structures in shaping human choices
• Influenced literary criticism and the development of socially engaged literature (Sartre's later works)

Feminist interpretations

• Critiqued existentialism for its male-centric perspective and neglect of women's experiences
• Simone de Beauvoir's "The Second Sex" applied existentialist ideas to analyze women's oppression
• Argued that existentialism's concept of freedom failed to adequately address gender-based constraints and oppression
• Developed existentialist feminism, exploring how women can assert their freedom in the face of societal expectations
• Influenced feminist literature and criticism in World Literature II (Doris Lessing, Margaret Atwood)

Postmodern challenges

• Questioned existentialism's assumptions about the unified self and the possibility of authentic existence
• Challenged the idea of a stable, coherent identity, emphasizing the fragmented and socially constructed nature of the self
• Critiqued existentialism's reliance on grand narratives and universal truths
• Emphasized the role of language and discourse in shaping reality and human experience
• Influenced the development of postmodern literature and literary theory (Italo Calvino, Jorge Luis Borges)

Legacy and influence

• Existentialism left a lasting impact on philosophy, literature, and popular culture
• Continues to influence contemporary thought and artistic expression
• Shaped the development of various literary movements and styles in World Literature II

Impact on 20th century thought

• Influenced various philosophical movements (phenomenology, postmodernism)
• Shaped psychological theories and therapeutic approaches (existential psychology, logotherapy)
• Contributed to the development of political philosophies (existential Marxism, anarchism)
• Influenced religious and theological discourse (Christian existentialism, death of God theology)
• Impacted artistic movements (abstract expressionism, theatre of the absurd)

Existentialism in popular culture

• Existentialist themes and ideas permeated various forms of media and entertainment
• Influenced film directors (Ingmar Bergman, Woody Allen) and their exploration of existential themes
• Shaped the development of counterculture movements and Beat literature (Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg)
• Inspired musicians and songwriters (The Cure, Talking Heads) to explore existential themes in their lyrics
• Influenced comic book and graphic novel creators (Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman) in their exploration of human nature and morality

Contemporary relevance

• Existentialist ideas continue to resonate in contemporary literature and philosophy
• Provides a framework for examining issues of identity, meaning, and authenticity in the digital age
• Informs discussions on ethics, personal responsibility, and social engagement in a globalized world
• Contributes to ongoing debates about free will, consciousness, and the nature of reality
• Influences contemporary authors (David Foster Wallace, Haruki Murakami) in their exploration of the human condition