Post Modern Literature
ABSURDISM IN MODERN LITERATURE[pic]
Absurdism is often linked to Existentialism, the philosophical movement associated with Jean Pual Satre and Albert Camus, among others. Although both existentialists and absurdists are concerned with the senselessness of the human condition, the way this concern is expressed differs. The philosophers explored the irrational nature of human existence within the rational and logical framework of conventional philosophical thought. The Absurdists, however, abondoned the traditional elements of literature in general and theatre in particular--- setting, plot, character development--- in order to convey a sense of absurdity and illogic in both form and content. In general, the two movements also differ in the conclusions each seems to draw from the realization that life is meaningless. Many absurdist productions appear to be making a case for the idea that all human effort is futile and action is pointless; others seem to suggest that an absurd existence leaves the individual no choice but to treat it as farce. The existentialists, however, claimed that the realization that life had no transcendental meaning, either derived from faith or from the essence of humanity itself, could(and should) serve as a springboard to action. An individual’s life, according to the existentialists, can be made meaningful only through that individual’s actions. Life is no more dreadful punishment than a futile and hopeless labor. This very idea of Albert Camus in his essay “The myth of Sisyphus” suggests the concept of absurdity defined by the group of people became the part of this theatrical movement. Absurdism is a term first coined by Martin Esslin in his book “The theatre of the absurd” in 1961, in which he discussed the comprehensive details regarding the term and the great literary figures associated with it. The roots of absurdism dates back to early 20th century i.e. the post World War II, time when the world was going through great
Absurdism is often linked to Existentialism, the philosophical movement associated with Jean Pual Satre and Albert Camus, among others. Although both existentialists and absurdists are concerned with the senselessness of the human condition, the way this concern is expressed differs. The philosophers explored the irrational nature of human existence within the rational and logical framework of conventional philosophical thought. The Absurdists, however, abondoned the traditional elements of literature in general and theatre in particular--- setting, plot, character development--- in order to convey a sense of absurdity and illogic in both form and content. In general, the two movements also differ in the conclusions each seems to draw from the realization that life is meaningless. Many absurdist productions appear to be making a case for the idea that all human effort is futile and action is pointless; others seem to suggest that an absurd existence leaves the individual no choice but to treat it as farce. The existentialists, however, claimed that the realization that life had no transcendental meaning, either derived from faith or from the essence of humanity itself, could(and should) serve as a springboard to action. An individual’s life, according to the existentialists, can be made meaningful only through that individual’s actions. Life is no more dreadful punishment than a futile and hopeless labor. This very idea of Albert Camus in his essay “The myth of Sisyphus” suggests the concept of absurdity defined by the group of people became the part of this theatrical movement. Absurdism is a term first coined by Martin Esslin in his book “The theatre of the absurd” in 1961, in which he discussed the comprehensive details regarding the term and the great literary figures associated with it. The roots of absurdism dates back to early 20th century i.e. the post World War II, time when the world was going through great