What is Existential Literature?

What is Existential Literature?

Existential literature, rooted in the existentialist philosophy that emerged predominantly in the 19th and 20th centuries, confronts fundamental questions of existence, freedom, and the individual’s quest for meaning. This genre examines the intricate interplay between consciousness and the world, often revealing human experience as a struggle against inherent absurdities. Though existential themes have arguably always existed, existential literature is a modern movement, resonating most strongly through authors like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, and Franz Kafka. By exploring themes such as alienation, absurdity, freedom, and the nature of authenticity, existential literature challenges readers to confront their own perceptions of self and meaning.

Origins of Existential Literature

Existential literature arose from a larger philosophical movement. Figures like Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche laid early groundwork, emphasizing the role of individual experience, personal choice, and subjective reality. Kierkegaard, for example, stressed the significance of “becoming oneself” through passionate commitment, and Nietzsche’s idea of the “will to power” reframed purpose and identity as self-determined rather than externally ordained.

This philosophical background set the stage for the genre to take shape, particularly after the existentialist surge during and after World War II, a time when societal disillusionment provided fertile ground for questioning established moral frameworks. Existentialist writers saw in literature a medium through which to grapple with themes of angst, despair, and freedom, encapsulating a world where individuals found themselves in situations of profound moral ambiguity and psychological tension.

Key Themes in Existential Literature

1. Alienation and Isolation
   Existential literature frequently explores the alienation that individuals feel in society. Characters often feel estranged from societal norms, unable to find their place in a world that feels impersonal or hostile. For instance, Kafka’s characters are famously alienated, particularly Gregor Samsa in The Metamorphosis, who, transformed into an insect, experiences profound separation from family and society. Alienation reveals existential anxieties about belonging and identity, challenging readers to question the authenticity of societal connections.
2. The Absurd
   The concept of the absurd, which Albert Camus famously expounds in The Myth of Sisyphus, permeates existential literature. The absurd refers to the conflict between humanity’s desire for inherent meaning and the universe’s indifference. Camus’s novel The Stranger is exemplary, where the protagonist Meursault’s lack of remorse and indifference underscore his sense of the world’s irrationality. Existential literature often portrays characters grappling with this absurdity, confronting the arbitrary nature of existence.
3. Freedom and Responsibility
   Existentialism emphasizes radical freedom, suggesting that individuals have an essential responsibility to shape their lives through their choices. Sartre’s Nausea explores the weight of freedom through Roquentin, who becomes physically sickened by his realization of total freedom. With this freedom comes the “burden of responsibility,” where characters understand that every decision defines their identity and world. This theme questions whether true freedom is desirable, often reflecting the tension between autonomy and social constraints.
4. Authenticity and Self-Creation
   Existential literature often centers on the quest for authenticity. To live authentically means to act in alignment with one’s true self, resisting societal conventions or pre-existing moral codes. Kierkegaard’s concept of the “leap of faith” — a decision to act with passionate commitment despite uncertainty — and Nietzsche’s notion of the Übermensch both underscore existential literature’s preoccupation with self-creation. Characters like Dostoevsky’s Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment struggle with societal norms, ultimately questioning whether they can live by self-imposed values. This exploration invites readers to reflect on their values and the sources of their personal beliefs.

The Influence and Impact of Existential Literature

Existential literature has had a profound impact not only on literary theory but on social and philosophical thought. It calls attention to the individual as a complex being with agency, moral conflict, and autonomy, challenging deterministic or reductionist views of human life. The existentialist approach became particularly resonant in post-war Europe, reflecting the general disillusionment with grand narratives of progress and collective ideals. The genre’s popularity speaks to a widespread recognition of disillusionment with conventional structures and a desire to confront the discomforting facets of human existence head-on.

Moreover, existential literature has influenced other literary movements, particularly those that explore the internal psyche, such as psychological realism and absurdist literature. It has informed the works of contemporary authors like Haruki Murakami and Paul Auster, who explore existential concerns in modern contexts, with protagonists facing an indifferent universe in search of personal significance. By extending into genres such as dystopian and science fiction, existential literature’s themes remain relevant, reflecting persistent human concerns.

Existential Literature and the Reader

Existential literature often demands a personal and reflective engagement from its readers, creating a participatory experience where readers themselves grapple with questions of meaning and freedom. The genre resists providing resolutions, instead presenting dilemmas and ethical ambiguity that leave readers with a sense of unresolved tension. This approach reflects existential literature’s belief in the subjective, personal nature of truth and meaning, emphasizing that each individual must ultimately arrive at their own understanding of life’s purpose.

Conclusion

Existential literature is more than a genre; it is an invitation to confront life’s most profound questions. It does not seek to comfort but rather to reveal, exploring the stark realities of human freedom, alienation, and the inherent absurdity of the human condition. Through its complex characters and intricate themes, existential literature offers a mirror to the human soul, pushing both characters and readers to grapple with life’s inherent uncertainties. It remains a testament to literature’s capacity to delve into the philosophical depths of human experience, urging individuals to contemplate their place in a vast, indifferent universe and, perhaps, to find within themselves the courage to live authentically.