Existentialism in Literature

Jean-Paul Sartre's (La Nausée) is a seminal work of existentialist literature, exploring themes of alienation, meaninglessness, and the absurdity of existence.

Angst, a German word meaning 'dread' or 'anxiety', is a key concept in existentialism, referring to the feeling of unease and disorientation that arises from confronting the meaninglessness and absurdity of existence.

Jean-Paul Sartre's (No Exit) is a powerful existentialist play that delves into the concept of hell as a state of being trapped in the presence of others, unable to escape one's own existence.

Meursault, the protagonist of Albert Camus' (The Stranger), is an enigmatic figure who commits a murder without any apparent motive, leading him to confront the absurdity of existence.

Jean-Paul Sartre's (Being and Nothingness) is a profound philosophical work that examines the nature of human existence, freedom, and the relationship between being and nothingness.

Simone de Beauvoir's (The Second Sex) argues that women are existentially free and capable of transcending the societal norms and expectations that oppress them.

Fyodor Dostoevsky's (Notes from Underground) is a powerful existentialist novel that delves into the psyche of an alienated and despairing individual who rejects societal norms and conventions.

In (The Trial), Josef K. is accused of an unspecified crime and subjected to a bewildering and incomprehensible legal process, representing the existential guilt and anxiety that permeate human existence.

Albert Camus' (The Plague) is a powerful existentialist novel that examines the human condition in the face of a devastating epidemic, exploring themes of absurdity, death, and the search for meaning.

After committing a murder, Raskolnikov experiences intense guilt and remorse, leading him to a psychological and emotional breakdown.

Albert Camus' (The Fall) delves into the existential themes of freedom, responsibility, and the consequences of one's actions, as the protagonist, Jean-Baptiste Clamence, reflects on his past and the choices he has made.

(Waiting for Godot) explores the existential theme of the absurdity of existence, as the characters engage in meaningless conversations and wait for a mysterious figure named Godot who never arrives.

Jean-Paul Sartre's (Nausea) delves into the existential themes of alienation, meaninglessness, and the search for authenticity, as the protagonist, Antoine Roquentin, grapples with the absurdity of existence.

(The Brothers Karamazov) explores the existential theme of the battle between good and evil, as the Karamazov brothers grapple with their inner demons and the consequences of their actions.

Albert Camus' (The Stranger) delves into the existential themes of alienation, indifference, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world, as the protagonist, Meursault, grapples with the absurdity of existence.