Existentialism: Literary Theory

Existentialism involves the attempt to make meaning in a chaotic world. Sartre argued, "man makes himself." As a form of literary criticism, existentialism seeks to analyze literary works, with special emphasis on the struggle to define meaning and identity in the face of alienation and isolation.

Existentialism and Theatre
"Existentialism is a concept that became popular during the second World War in France, and just after it. French playrights have often used the stage to express their views, and these views came to surface even during a Nazi occupation."

Existentialism Today
"Existentialism as it appeared in the 20th century represents the most vivid and threatening meaning of 'existential'."

Existentialism: An Introduction
"Existentialism attempts to describe our desire to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe."

Realm of Existentialism
"The Realm of Existentialism features an indepth look at the attributes of the existentialist school of thought. This site offers the basics of existentialism, pros and cons of existentialism, phenomenology and its relation to existentialism, existentialism through selected quotations, and probes over twenty minds of existentialism from literature, philosophy, psychology and poetry."

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Classic Literature