Essay Theory of the Absurd - 1667 Words

According to critic Mark Esslin, the concept of â€Å"Theatre of the Absurd† relates to the â€Å"playwrights loosely grouped under the label of the absurd attempt to convey their sense of bewilderment, anxiety, and wonder in the face of an inexplicable universe† (â€Å"The Theatre†). Esslin stressed the fact that plays and stories belonging to the â€Å"Theatre of the Absurd† were composed of situations dealing with the way a human reacts to an event, without any form of importance, thus only stressing over insignificant things and rejecting the notion of â€Å"logic.† Albert Camus, a major writer of the â€Å"Theatre of the Absurd†, construes the â€Å"Absurd† by completely varying this concept through the human personality, exemplified by The Stranger and â€Å"The Myth of†¦show more content†¦This act depicts that there is no true point to human life. While Meursault is a strong believer of this concept, humanity attemp ts to form reasonable justifications for an insane wrongdoing. In the story, Meursault states that â€Å"The truth is I never have much to say. I just keep quiet† (Camus 104). Thus, by Meursault statement, Camus stresses the absurdity of silence as the prosecution unravels why Meursault committed murder of the Arab. The Stranger opens up with a simple quote: â€Å"Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I dont know. I got a telegram from the home: Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours. That doesnt mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday† (Camus 3). This abrupt and distinctive introduction expresses the attitude that Meursault possesses- that there is simply no meaning to life as a whole- a true stranger to the world. Furthermore, the trial in which Meursault partakes is absurd in itself because â€Å"the judge, prosecutors, and jury try to find meaning where there is none to be found† (â€Å"Albert†). Moreover, Meursault implies that fact that he does not have any particular reason to live, and death is the only way to go. His apathy and indifference about life further reveal the â€Å"absurd† in this novel. According to McCarthy, Meursault is not truly saddened by his mother’s death because in his mind, death is an unavoidable force- mankind is destined to die. During Meursault’s mother’s funeral,Show MoreRelatedCamus Beliefs on Absurdity644 Words   |  3 PagesWhat is the absurd? Camus categorized as the â€Å"belief in the absurdity of existence must then dictate his conduct† (Camus, 6). What Camus means is feeling of absurdity goes hand in hand with having a meaningless life. We get so used to doing the same routine that, we as people don’t think we just act like a robot. Camus asks â€Å"Does its absurdity require one to escape it through hope or suicide? And does the absurd dictate death† (Camus, 9). Camus says, â€Å"An objective mind can always introduce into allRead MoreExistentialism And The Absurd By Albert Camus1186 Words   |  5 Pagescomponents into their novels and stories to present a deeper meaning within their work. In his various books, short stories, and plays, the French-Algerian writer Albert Camus relates to his philosophical beliefs: specifically existentialism and the absurd, as well as his connecting idea of rebellion. Camus’ most prominent works – such as the novels The Plague, The Stranger, The Rebel, and others – reflect these beliefs and ideas he held. Though he was and continues to be considered as one, Camus madeRead MoreExistentialism In Rick And Morty1409 Words   |  6 Pagesthat has no clear meaning is a idea both shown the philosophy of Absurdism and Existentialism; â€Å"a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will† (Google). The gap between second season to the opening of season 3 really shows â€Å"Rick and Morty† as an â€Å"absurd work† in terms of Absurdism. It does so by teasing with the meaning and hope showing us that this show could containRead MoreThe Third Policeman: A Lesson in Absurdity Essay1571 Words   |  7 PagesO’Brien weaves together elements of existentialism, Freud’s psychological theory of consciousness, and postmodernism in literature in a satirical way to demonstrate how little humans actually know; especially during a time when new theories were forming and being experimented with on the path to enlightenment. O’Brien’s narrative brings the experience of all these elements to the reader; through the narrator, all theories collide in OBriens The Third Policeman. In the critical essay â€Å"Calmly makingRead MoreAlbert Camus and Bohemian Rhapsody Comparison1695 Words   |  7 Pagesrelated to songs written and sung by a band named Queen. Queen’s song, â€Å"Bohemian Rhapsody†, is one of few songs, that correlate to Albert Camus views on the Absurd, which consist of simplifying the point of philosophy to mean life, a reasoning that the world, in general, is not a reasonable place, and realizing the consequences to believing in the absurd. Albert Camus wrote a numerous amount inspiring novels/essays and gained success, starting at the young age of seventeen, when Camus decided to becomeRead MoreMean Girls Is A Teen Comedy Film1154 Words   |  5 Pagesaren’t perfect. The superiority theory as described by Rappoport suggests that this is humorous because feeling superior to someone, even subconsciously, causes pleasure and laughter. Putting down the supposedly â€Å"perfect† characters causes the viewer to feel gratification as it may cause a boost of their ego. This scene is also incongruous for a variety of reasons. Rappoport’s incongruity theory explains that this scene may be humorous due to the unusual and even absurd nature of the situation. TheRead MoreThe Rebel by Albert Camus787 Words   |  3 Pagesmurder by trial. Camus also mention the support Communism gives to such judgment even if Communism need not necessarily facilitate direct methods to do so. Similar to his previous works, The Stranger and The Myth of Sisphyphus, Camus’ notion of The Absurd remains to be the spearhead of his philosophy and his rather peculiar approach to life. â€Å"We are living in an era of premeditation and the perfect crime. Our criminals are no longer helpless children who could plead love as their excuse. On the contraryRead MorePsychological And Social Aspects Of Psychological Criticism1660 Words   |  7 PagesPsychological criticism is a theory that is associated with literature texts which are concerned with the fictional expression of others, the state of mind of the characters, and the aims of the author. Freud (1856–1939) depicts a diagram to explain the system of psychological internal work. This plan is a â€Å"topographical† map that classifies thought into three sorts: conscious, preconscious and unconscious. Later, he assumes the latter as a basic introduction to his theory. In turn, his schemes considerRead MoreExistentialism in Literature and Science846 Words   |  3 Pagesapproach or theory that emphasizes an individual’s existence as a free and responsible being determining his own development through acts of the will (â€Å"Existentialism†). What does that mean exactly? To make it easier to understand, that means humans as people are shaping their own destinies with every choice they make. That seems quite obvious, but to further understand the meaning of existentialism, it must be analyzed through the impacts it has had on both literature and scientific theories alikeRead MoreThe Criticistity Of Absurdity In The Stranger By Albert Camus944 Words   |  4 Pagesridiculous or widely unreasonable. The main character in this novel fits that definition perfectly. The main characters name was Meursault. I was able to tell after the the first few pages that the way he thought and the way that he viewed life was absurd. The first example of absurdity that I noticed was in the first 1 chapter. The novel opens with him talking about the death of his mother. On page one he starts off by saying, â€Å"Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I dont know†. As soon