To Demonstrate The Theme Of Existentialism English Literature Essay

In theory, existentialists consider that to rationalize man’s existence is an absurd endeavor, because they believe that life itself is absurd. For them, living is merely a passage of time, ultimately concluded by death. That humans desire to attribute a meaning to life is a pointless obsession. Therefore, in the shortness of existence, one must enthusiastically pursue one’s own individual choices and convictions. Both Albert Camus in The Outsider and Samuel Beckett in Waiting for Godot expose the sheer uncertainty of life and its cruel indifference to humanity. In The Outsider Meursualt assumes a detached existence, remaining indifferent to life’s trials and tribulations. In Waiting for Godot Vladimir and Estragon try to stay preoccupied while waiting for a man named Godot, who will perhaps never come. In both the Outsider by Albert Camus and Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, the authors use their characters and their actions in relation to the world around them to demonstrate the theme of existentialism.

In Albert Camus’s The Outsider, Meursault, the main character, seems to have his emotions “disabled” most of the time, which makes it possible for him to be an observer of his own life, watching it as an “outsider”. Because the book is written in first person, and Meursault describes everything that happens to him in a very detailed way, yet lacking appropriate emotion, the reader quickly becomes aware of how detached Meursault is. A good example of this can be found in the first couple of lines of the book.

“Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday. I don’t know. I had a telegram from the home: ‘mother passed away. Funeral tomorrow. Yours sincerely.’ That doesn’t mean anything. It may have been yesterday.”

In the quote above, Meursault describes how he found out that his mother has passed away. The normal human mind would begin to think about the mother and feel sad, however, the only thing that seems to occupy Meursault’s attention is the question of whether or not mother died “today, or maybe yesterday”.

Meursault saying; “That doesn’t mean anything” could be interpreted in 2 ways. It could be taken as part of his confusion as to which day his mother died. And therefore he states that the telegram doesn’t any useful information about the day his mother died. On the other hand, the comment could also be interpreted more deeply. Meursault might be saying that the death of his mother doesn’t matter at all. This introduces the reader to the concept of the uselessness of human existence, a theme that can be seen throughout the novel. In the beginning of the novel, Meursault leads a very simple life, in which he basically judges the world around him by being bored or not bothering enough to care, and as the novel progresses Meursault himself becomes the one who is judged. No matter how little he cared about anything around him in the past, Meursault cannot help being affected by his own approaching death. This character development allows the author to develop his existentialist theme. It sends the message to the reader that life is really absurd, and that humans try to find rational answers when existence is quite indifferent to rationality. The most absurd thing is that Meursault actually accepts this absurdity in his life, and refuses the “artificial” standard answers like the kinds religions offer.

In the outsider, Meursault’s murder of the Arab is another example of existentialism.

“The light leapt off the steel and it was like a long, flashing sword lunging at my forehead……all I could feel were the cymbals the sun was clashing against my forehead and, indistinctly, the dazzling spear still leaping up off the knife in front of me. It was like a red-hot blade gnawing at my eyelashes and gouging out my stinging eyes.”

In this excerpt, the reader is again confronted with the absurdity of Meursault. The murder makes it a good portrayal of the concept of existentialism. The Arab draws his knife and holds it up to Meursault, but this is not what seems to truly bothers him. It is the intense heat and the light from the sun that shoots off the Arab’s knife that irritates him.

As this sensual feeling overwhelms him, Meursault says, “My whole being tensed and I squeezed my hand around the revolver”. This excerpt demonstrates Meursault’s is estranged to both his experiences in life and to human nature. Most of Meursault’s actions have no true conscious motives. Meursault feels physical discomfort with his surroundings. As a result of this discomfort he consciously makes the decision to shoot the Arab. Later in the novel when Meursault is arrested he is asked if he would like an attorney.

“Then he wanted to know if I’d chosen a lawyer. I confessed that I hadn’t and inquired whether it was absolutely necessary to have one. ‘Why do you ask?’ he said. I replied that I thought my case was very simple. He smiled and said, ‘That’s your opinion. But this is the law. If you don’t chose a lawyer yourself, we’ll appointment one for you automatically.'”

In this quotation, the existentialist views of the author are carried across by Meursault’s interaction with the magistrate. Meursault is told that he has to have a lawyer, and that if he doesn’t chose one; they will “appoint one for you automatically”. This shows the existentialist views of the author because the essence of existentialism lies in the freedom of choice. In this excerpt, Meursault is confused because he feels he does not need a lawyer. To him his case is simple: he killed somebody and is prepared for the consequences. However, the choice of whether or not to have a lawyer is taken away from him. This may be showing how the author is criticizing society through the sue of existentialism. What it is defiantly showing is how Albert Camus is using the surroundings of Meursault to display elements of existentialism.

In Waiting for Godot, the play is centered on two men, Estragon and Vladimir, who are waiting for a Mr. Godot, of whom they know little. Estragon acknowledges that he doesn’t even know what godot looks like. “Personally I wouldn’t know him if I ever saw him.”. Estragon also remarks, “… we hardly know him.”, which shows to the reader that the character of Mr. Godot is not important, as little details about him are given throughout the play. The mystery behind the identity of Godot, and the speculation behind his identity may reflect Beckett’s existentialist views. Because the reader is never revealed the identity of Godot, then pursuing that information is futile. In similar fashion, an existentialist would say that the meaning of life is never revealed, so therefore pursuing it is futile. This concept is reflected by the conversations of the protagonists.

“Estragon: And if he doesn’t come?

Vladimir: We’ll come back tomorrow

Estragon: And then the day after tomorrow.

Vladimir: Possibly.

Estragon: And so on.

Vladimir: The point is –

Estragon: Until he comes.”

In this excerpt, the two protagonists discuss how their existence at the moment is suspended, because until Godot comes, they cannot leave for fear of missing him if he does come. When looking at the line: “And if he doesn’t come” it becomes apparent that the he may be referring to the meaning of life. This clearly reflects how Beckett may be using the figure of Godot to symbolize existentialist themes. In this light, this extract could be saying that attempting to find the meaning of life, will only result wasted time. What is an important element of the play is the act of waiting for someone or something that never arrives. This theme is further developed throughout the book, as can be seen in the following excerpt:

“Estragon: … Let’s go.

Vladimir: We can’t.

Estragon: Why not?

Vladimir: We’re waiting for Godot.”

This particular excerpt is repeated often thought the play. This symbolizes the theme of existentialism because, the essence of existentialism concentrates on the individual’s freedom of choice, as opposed to the belief that people are “enslaved” to an ominous creation, such as God. Estragon and Vladimir have decided to wait, even though they were not told or ordered to do so. This can be seen throughout the play; for example Vladimir says, “He didn’t say for sure he’d come”, but decides to “wait till we know exactly how we stand”.