Existentialism’s Influence on Literature: An Exploration of Themes and Movements

I dedicate this work to Houda, the Snake.

Introduction

Existentialism is a dominant philosophical trend of the 19th and 20th centuries, defined by the liberation of the individual in the face of the absurdity of existence. An important characteristic of the philosophy is its tendency to absolute individualism and its focus on the main themes such as freedom, responsibility, authenticity, and the construction of meaning in a universe indifferent to the individual. Existentialism urges the individual to confront absurdity through authentic choices, accept responsibility and continue his discourse, revolutionising literature and philosophical thought with new novel structures and character concepts. In its development, the existentialist trend of thought reflects a blend of historical and existential moments.

Existentialism: Key Tenets

The major ideas that lie at the roots of the philosophical endeavour called existentialism are freedom, responsibility, absurdity, authenticity, and the search for meaning. The followers of this school of philosophy encourage people to take full advantage of their freedom of choice and deal with the inevitable consequences of their actions — thus contributing to the emergence of the appropriate sense of responsibility. The idea of absurdity relates to the pain of existence — the conflict between the human mind in absolute search of meaning and the meaninglessness of the universe — illustrated in plays and literature by Samuel Beckett and Franz Kafka (Edeh, 2019). Authenticity is characterised by truthfulness and the ability to live according to one’s own values, which Sartre, Hemingway, and Woolf made the basis of their works. Death and confrontation as an essential part of life, along with decisions based on the quest for truthfulness — were also the major topics in the literary works of Tolstoy and Faulkner.

Freedom in Existentialism

Existentialism has introduced freedom as an important concept and placed its emphasis on the individual’s ability to make choices. These choices are free from any external factors or constraints. According to this philosophy, human beings are free but “condemned” to freedom. Sartre argues that an individual cannot escape from his freedom, and this freedom becomes a responsibility; human beings are responsible for their actions and have to bear the consequences of their decisions (Bora, 2020). Existential freedom can be seen in Dostoevsky’s novels. The characters created by Dostoevsky analyse the moral and ethical effects of their choices and actions. That is how existentialism represents the idea of freedom and the burdens that accompany it (Epstein, 2019). Existentialism, in this case, as applied by writers, characterises human beings and their decisions and actions in a world without meaning and purpose. It is due to the freedom and burden of choice that the characters create their essence. As a result, existentialist literature focuses on conflicts within the character, showing his or her desire for authenticity in this meaninglessness and purposelessness presented in the world.

Responsibility in Existentialism

Existentialism’s notion of responsibility is closely tied to its notion of freedom. Responsibility is one of the main features of freedom in the promotion of one’s subjective perspective as the ultimate guide while engaging with the cosmos, which fundamentally lacks objective meaning. Existentialists such as Sartre posit that not only are humans free, but we are also severely responsible for our actions, and their nature ultimately dictates our essence and radiates itself into the world around us. From the standpoint of this philosophical theory, literature flourished in the 20th century and depicts how characters are faced with the weight of their choices amidst turmoil, where they have to take action in times when their decisions collapse into personal absurdity. For example, Dostoevsky’s novels present characters forced to engage with their moral responsibilities in turning points of existential despair and individual liberation. (Epstein, 2019). This kind of literature showcases the centrality that the existentialist idea of responsibility has in promoting identity through authenticity or the idea that the only way one can be authentic is by embracing the absurdity we all face or refusing to engage with the weight of one’s decisions and the path they are taking.

Absurdity in Existentialism

One of the key themes of existentialism lies in absurdity, which manifests the struggle between humans’ innate need for meaning and the world itself. The theme of absurdity is widely covered in the writings of existentialist Albert Camus, who argued that the meaninglessness of life forces a person to develop his or her own meaning (Bozer, 2021). With regard to literature, absurdity is usually presented in the characters who confront the apparent meaninglessness of their existence. For instance, in Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” or Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis,” the protagonists face the absurdity of being (Edeh, 2019). Basically, absurdist existentialism indicates that one has to search for personal meaning amid meaninglessness and chaos. This way, absurdity in literature echoes existentialism claims about the subjective nature of meaning. Therefore, absurdist literature highlights the existentialist theme, encouraging readers to connect to this notion and reflect on their real lives and existence.

Authenticity in Existentialism

Freedom and authenticity in existentialism are two major ideas that highlight the philosophy’s conviction on the importance of human beings living truthfully. Authenticity, as it relates to existentialism, describes one’s ability to live according to their inner self and values, free from any influence by society. Existentialist literature often reflects and shares the plight of its characters in achieving authenticity in their lives, even when faced with life’s absurdity (Silverio, 2019). Novels like Sartre’s and Woolf’s works mirror the struggles of characters trying to achieve authenticity and define their essence, often at odds with societal and outer existence. The idea of authenticity and the struggle to achieve it present a challenge to individuals, making them aware of their existence and the fact that they live in a world with no absolute meaning. The works of Hemingway portray characters that seek to express their truest self even when faced with the uncertainty that comes with their existence. As such, authenticity and the struggle to prove it are major aspects of existentialism that push a person to be aware of and recognise their freedom and the accompanying responsibility, which is to take charge of their own identity and story in a menacing world where there is no sense of belonging.

The Search for Meaning in Existentialism

Existentialist philosophy emphasises an individual’s search for meaning when existing in an indifferent universe. According to notable existentialists like Sartre and Camus, meaning does not exist inherently and must be created actively by an individual through authentic choices and the acceptance of personal responsibility. Existentialist literature, including the novels by Hemingway and Woolf, Theater of the Absurd, and the films of Ingmar Bergman, present characters that are existentialist in thinking. Faced with existentialist dilemmas, the depicted characters search to create and define their own essence in the midst of the chaotic disarray that they experience in life. Such techniques are also present in the writings of authors of recent literature. For example, Japan’s Haruki Murakami and Canada’s Margaret Atwood are writers who explore the theme of transience and express the existentialist notion of finding meaning in existence. The concern for the search for meaning reveals the influence of existentialist philosophy in their work as it challenges the readers or the audience and the characters themselves to determine their existence and search for their authentic self-realisation (Falconer, 2019).

Influence on 20th-Century Literature

One of the key philosophies that influenced literary movements in the 20th century was existentialism, which explored themes of absurdity, freedom, and authenticity. This theory began with the works of representatives such as Camus and Sartre. Albert Camus, for instance, portrayed existentialism in his book “The Stranger”. This book focuses on the struggle of the protagonist, Meursault, with the absurdity of his existence in an indifferent world. The work highlights one of the main themes in existentialism — the constant search for the meaning of life (Bora, 2020). Existentialism gave life and a new interpretation of absurdist literature and existentialist theatre. Characters of playwrights Beckett and Lonesco, for instance, are deprived of their freedom and established in a routine and boring way of life. Beckett scattered this perception through all directions and fruits. Writers of the Beat Generation, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, etc. also followed existentialism ideas in searching for their personal freedom and resisting social norms to illustrate this identity crisis.

Evolution from Kierkegaard to Sartre

An important step in the development of the existentialist current of thought is its transition from Kierkegaard to Sartre. Kierkegaard is considered the first existentialist writer, and his main ideas include such concepts as “individual faith and the ‘leap’ into the absurd at the heart of authentic existence” (p. 461). The author was the groundbreaker of the existentialist movement, which Sartre picked up. Similarly to the first researcher, Sartre also came up with the ideas that put an individual at the centre of human existence. He spoke about his “absolute freedom, the anxiety it entails, and the heavy burden of responsibility that comes with it” (p. 461). The major difference between the two philosophers is their fundamental attitude regarding religion. Sartre moved towards secularism and, unlike Kierkegaard, stressed that people need to give meaning to an otherwise meaningless life. Overall, the transition from Kierkegaard to Sartre demonstrates pivotal points in the evolution of the existentialist thought process and its exploration through various literary works.

Contemporary Existentialist Thinkers

Modern-day existentialists are still applying the thoughts of philosophers and existentialists while adhering to the principles of existentialism to address modern-day problems and trends like globalisation and technological innovations. Simone de Beauvoir also tackled the existentialist thoughts she had as a feminist. She discussed how existentialist ideas, like freedom and responsibility, affect how a woman makes her own identity in a society dominated by masculinity and patriarchy (Silverio, 2019). Through her ideas, she indicates how flexible and relevant existentialism is to modern-day problems and how people should still challenge themselves to be authentic despite the challenges posed by society. Furthermore, in fiction and literature, modern-day authors like Haruki Murakami have touched on concepts and ideas that are existentialist in nature, and these were reflected in their writing style as well as the stories they chose to tell. Murakami’s works delve into the existentialist themes of life and the complexity of existence (Falconer, 2019). Through these authors and philosophers, people are still able to connect with existentialism even today as it was able to expand a person’s view on meaningfulness and authentic creation of oneself amidst the changes that are modern living.

The Absurdity of Existence in Literature

Existentialism depicts the absurdity of life through its literature and its renowned figures, including Camus, Beckett and Kafka. Camus’ “The Stranger” focuses primarily on the absurdity of existentialism, where life is devoid of meaning and requires individuals to construct meaning within it (Bora, 2020). Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” exposes the absurdity where the characters exchange futile dialogues, showcasing that human attempts are inherently absurd and pointless. Kafka’s novel “The Metamorphosis” discusses a man facing existential absurdity after his drastic transformation into a repulsive and scavenging insect with no answers or logic provided by the outside world (Edeh, 2019). Existentialist literature primarily focuses on the absurdity of life, allowing readers to reflect, self-advocate and, at times, embrace uncertainties.

Freedom and Responsibility in Literature

Existentialist works also expand on moral dilemmas related to freedom and responsibility. This dilemma is evident in the characters’ quest for freedom and choices and the consequences of such choices. Nikolay Ivanovich is faced with the moral correctness versus the responsibility of being free to choose. As much as one may argue that freedom is essential to every human, the author demonstrates through his characters whilst making sacrifices, for instance, Raskolnikov. The theme of freedom and responsibility and its role in moral dilemmas on the other hand is studied in depth in Sartre’s “Nausea”. Anguish is experienced by the character as he lives in an absurd world and yearns for connection. He understands he has to create himself and discovers that he was “condemned to be free”. Furthermore, the issue of freedom is approached in the book “The Fall”. The protagonist contemplates the concept of freedom in an indifferent universe. Thus, existentialist literature addresses the concepts of freedom and responsibility as reflecting the problems of human beings who want to make choices without losing the desire to live openly and authentically in spite of uncertainties.

Authenticity and the Search for Meaning in Literature

One of the most discussed topics in existentialist literature is authenticity and the search for meaning in human existence. Sartre, in his works, focuses on protagonists dealing with the struggle of authentic self and dilemmatic choices versus the expectations of society and traditional values. Sartre’s theory of existentialism acknowledges the need to create meaning through authentic choices. Hemingway characters are often described as dealing with the dilemmas of their existence while they are searching to create their own meaning from their essence in an absurd universe. Characters in Woolf’s novels also experience the themes of authenticity and search for meaning as they are defeated by the chaos around them. However, they defeat the chaos in order to reach self-actualisation. Overall, existentialism is heavily depicted in the literature through the portrayal of authenticity and the search for meaning as they relate to human existence and their search for purpose (Nikiel, 2023)

The Role of Choice in Literature

Choice is a central theme in existentialist literature and philosophy, and it is connected to the influence individual decisions have in life and identity. From Sartre’s idea that existence precedes essence, it follows that people have to make choices to determine the essence of their being and existence and the resulting implications of freedom with existential weights. In the case of Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina,” the weight of the choice is present in the plot when the main character has to deal with the consequences of her decisions at a time of societal mechanisms ready to dictate how one’s identity should navigate within the evolution of the narrative. In Faulkner‘s Ovomplo, the protagonist also struggles with the nonsensical world with an implied meaning by the society, where the weight of the choice or decisions plays an essential part for the existentialist implications. In this light, existentialist authors emphasised the importance of choice as a theme in their narratives to highlight how meaning and authenticity are built through the use of the freedom that existentialism gave at the time to human beings and individuals in the face of an indifferent universe.

Confrontation with Mortality in Literature

Another recurring motif that strikes a chord with the audience pertains to the “death confront” theme, which can be found in literature that adheres to the philosophical doctrine of existentialism. Existentialist authors like Sartre and Tolstoy create plots in which the central figure grapples with the reality of his or her impending death and the unknown that comes after, compelling the individual to re-evaluate the life that he or she has lived and the decisions he or she has made. For example, Sartre explores this in one of his most famous works, ‘The Death of Ivan Ilyich,’ in which the protagonist has to deal with an internalized opposition to death and how this opposition relates to society and the protagonist himself. His art and ideas come from a place of existentialism to a great degree because he often tackles the problem of what it means to live well and to be a person. In the same way, Faulkner, too, was concerned about death in his writings, showing how this realization is significant for understanding the human quest for meaning within the confines of time. The theme of death in literature compels us to assess the decisions we make in life and how they serve the purpose of existence. The investigation of this idea in literature has helped in clarifying the way existentialism has changed an author’s approach to story, and especially character in literature.

Absurdist Literature

Lastly, absurdist literature comes last and is derived from existentialism. This literature is profound in its characters and shows how life is absurd, meaningless, pointless, and frustrating. In Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett, the characters are engaged in circular dialogues and search for meaning in this absurd situation. Ionesco, in his absurdist literature, develops themes where the character is in repetitive and pointless situations. In “Bald Soprano”, the very ordinary situation is in contradiction and the point of self-reference, whereas imagination loses meaning. In Genet’s novels, absurdist themes also question self-reference and provoke them to lose reality in real life. Through absurdities in reality, this literature forced the readers to question meanings in life. Resultantly, it defined the great impact of existentialism on literature. Literature is a tool to reflect human circumstances.

Existentialist Theatre

Theatre of the Absurd, also known as Existentialist theatre, was deeply influenced by existentialist philosophy, especially the philosophy advocated by Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus and Samuel Beckett. Sartre’s philosophical play “No Exit” is considered as the model that comes under Existentialist theatre. It deals with the concepts of life, freedom and responsibility. The play features three characters trapped in a room, signifying the idea of their inability to escape from themselves and their actions. Camus’s theatrical work “Caligula” also falls under Existentialist theatre. Also, it presents the meaninglessness of life and the search for significance in a world devoid of ethics and morality (de Unamuno, 2023). Another popular play from the Existentialist theatre is Beckett’s work “Waiting for Godot”. It is a highly recognised work in Absurdist theatre. The play revolves around two characters who indulge in meaningless conversations and denote the futility and absurdity of life. All these plays focus on the struggles of human life and its meaninglessness, thus forcing the audience to think about these existential issues.

Beat Generation Literature

The Beat Generation, a literary movement of the 20th century, sought to break free from cultural conformity and delve into the profound themes of freedom and authenticity. Literary artists like Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William S. Burroughs were influenced by existentialism. Existential dilemmas were depicted by these authors seeking personal liberation and awareness. Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” was an exemplary representation of the characters driving throughout America in search of authentic experiences and meaning in a conformist world. The novel echoed the ideals of the disillusioned age and called out for a rejection of cultural attitudes and values (Worden, 2023). Through his writing, Ginsberg represents absurdity and disillusionment to shock the reader and reveal the reality of modern life. In breaking literary conventions, the Beat authors sought to explore the boundaries of literature. Still, through an exploration of existentialism, they defined the impact of the movement in literature and its importance and influence on the struggles of human existence.

Contemporary Literature and Existentialism

Existentialism today is also significant for appreciating the literature of the current age. Many modern authors including Haruki Murakami, Don DeLillo and, Margaret Atwood are existentialist writers in one way or the other. Globalisation and Advanced technology are two of the factors that Murakami uses to explain the existentialist challenge of searching for one’s purpose in life. The modern existentialists emphasise the ridiculousness of life and the idea of being real. This is evident in the works of Murakami. For DeLillo, one could contend, the fiction produced so far addresses the problem of despair, which corresponds to the issue of the price of freedom in society or social systems and the cost of being a free individual. Atwood, too, has dystopic protagonists who lead a life full of choices but absurdity reigns in and endangers their freedom and individuality. Atwood’s works, therefore, serve to underscore the existentialist concern about the deprivation of meaning in society and the need for every person to make critical decisions at every moment in their lives. Nevertheless, a good portion of contemporary literature can still be said to be under the influence of some aspects of existentialism. This is particularly the case when discussing identity, authenticity, and even freedom, within the context of modern life.

Murakami and Existentialism

Existentialism is one of the most common philosophical themes in Murakami’s literature. His works often deal with the issues and challenges of modern life, such as the search for meaning and the complexities of existence. Many of his narratives contain philosophical reflection and consideration of absurdity and authenticity, which served as the central concern of his characters while facing the challenges of identity and meaning in a globalising and increasingly connected world. The existential void is a common setting in Murakami’s stories, where the protagonist struggles with the disarray of technological growth and globalisation, similar to how existentialism serves as a philosophy for self-realisation. Overall, Murakami employs existential philosophy in his works to show how his literature reflects modern-day problems and issues. Through philosophical contemplation and analysis, Murakami’s existentialism-based literature allows readers to thoroughly understand the complexities of modern human beings, thereby establishing the usefulness and relevance of existentialism as a continued philosophy in the modern-day.

DeLillo and Existentialism

As a leading contemporary writer, Don DeLillo, who emphasises the connection between free will and social constructions as central to his existentialist agenda, incorporated existentialist themes into his novels. Their main topics are alienation and fragmentation of the self, centrally through technological and media-dominated life positioned by DeLillo’s literature. His novel “White Noise”, for example, focused on the absurdity of human existence and the search for meaning in the technologically and media-dominated world. His characters often face the absurdity and alienation of contemporary life in their search for lost selfhood, thereby mirroring the key themes of existentialist philosophy, such as authenticity, absurdity and alienation. DeLillo’s style urges us to consider the existential dilemma that his protagonists encounter in searching out their ‘questions for themselves,’ a question that has preoccupied the likes of Sartre and Camus. A close reading of DeLillo’s works yields the conclusion that these elements concern existentialism and its application in today’s world.

Atwood and Existentialism

Atwood’s works also often are rich in existential themes. Such complexities and absurdities of the human condition are present in her works. In her dystopian fiction, the chaos and absurdities of reality compel the characters to assign purpose to their existence and life despite the unfavourable situations presented by their surroundings. One of the issues of existentialism that Atwood has looked at is the problem of the individual’s authenticity and being amidst a purposeless existence. Atwood’s protagonists engage in battles against repressive regimes in order to find a place for themselves in the universe. Atwood, in addition to exploring these themes through her narrative and writing style, explores the theme of absurdity because she is primarily concerned with existentialism and the problems that plague humanity and more so society including globalization and technology.

Existentialism and Modern Challenges

Even in current times, existentialism continues to be relevant and employed as a philosophical system in confronting the issues of globalisation, technology, and climate change. Existentialist feminism, as demonstrated in Simone de Beauvoir’s work, argues that individuals have the freedom and assumed responsibility to define their identity despite the limits imposed by society and culture (Silverio, 2019). Literature, like the works of Haruki Murakami, displays the ideas of existentialism as it tries to make sense of modernity’s disarray, such as globalisation, and connects to the present values and predominant elements in society, strongly attesting to existentialism’s relevance to thought today (Falconer, 2019). In an age where technology dominates progress, existentialism also serves as a reminder of how people can protect their authenticity and identity despite the onslaught of the digital. Existentialism’s approach to modern problems shows that it may still be a relevant branch of philosophy as it tries to understand and prioritise human and individual experiences through a struggle to understand and overcome modernity.

Conclusion

To conclude, it can be said that existentialism has certainly impacted literature in a way that it has pushed writers to create complex themes that invite readers to analyse and understand even more how complex human life can be. Freedom, responsibility, absurdity, authenticity and meaning have led writers to explore different narratives and topics that revolved around existentialist principles throughout the years. From their absurdist plays and novels to the sceptical writings of Sartre and Camus, the ideals of existentialism brought a more questioning approach to what we call together reality and human life in literature. Since those years, with contemporary writers such as Murakami and Atwood exploring existentialism in their works, we can see that this philosophy still resonates in modern literature, especially when it comes to dealing with actual problems. That said, it is possible to affirm that existentialism is and will always be an important tool through literature to take into consideration the problems that come with human existence and all that is involved in it.

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