existentialism in art & literature -...
TRANSCRIPT
INTRODUCTION● Existentialism: A philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the
individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their development through acts of will
● In other words, existentialism is the philosophical theory that states that individuals decide their fates through their choices.
● Existence precedes essence● Kierkegaard started the philosophy’s idea. Also regarded everyone who wasn’t religious or an
artist as a fool.
HOW IT IS PORTRAYED ● It is portrayed through the main or secondary characters.● As the viewer they either get to read or see what is going on with that
character.● The character faces consequence and the benefits of their decisions.
THEMES OF EXISTENTIALISM● Free will is the idea of having the freedom to make your own choices but
to also take responsibility for your actions and accept the consequences.● Alienation is defined as estrangement or mental and emotional
detachment.○ Two types: External and internal○ Deals with if you change your personality around others, how do you
know who you really are?● We all live with despair and anxiety.● Absurdity and meaning: The strangeness of human existence is
necessary in trying to live a life with meaning○ Why here and now?○ Being thrown into a situation
THEMES OF EXISTENTIALISM (cont.)
● Authenticity is the degree to which one is true to one's own personality, spirit, or character, despite external pressures○ Facing up our situations○ Making decisions courageously○ Being honest with ourselves
● Social criticism-Social practices are believed to be forms of hiding expressions of fear and ignorance
● Importance of personal relations-Being an individual in a community○ Creating meaning by discovering relationships between people
EXAMPLES IN LITERATURE● J.D. Salinger, Kurt Vonnegut, and Joseph
Heller; and God ● The Hobbit, J. R. R. Tolkien● Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky● A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux demonstrates alienation as Erik is both externally and internally alienated for his deformed face, causing him to be cold-hearted.
Les Miserables
In Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, Jean Valjean demonstrates free will as his actions bring him consequences, for he is an escaped convict trying to redeem himself. Also, this book demonstrates authenticity as he struggles to be honest with himself.
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald demonstrates despair as Jay Gatsby is in despair over his loss of Daisy and would do anything to live in the past and get her back.
EXAMPLES IN FILM● Woody Allens● Citizen Kane● The Truman Show● The Matrix● Ratatouille● Wreck-it Ralph● The Breakfast Club● Napoleon Dynamite● Breakfast at Tiffany’s● Minority Report● Equilibrium● Rango
You’re a wizard, Harry-Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
EXAMPLES IN TELEVISION● Charlie Brown “Peanuts”- The higher power (adults) are included, but
there are never seen and aren’t really heard.● How I met your mother
BIBLIOGRAPHY● Wood, Peter W. "Godzilla vs. Godot." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 25 Apr.
2014. Web. 07 Oct. 2014● "Understanding Existentialism in Four Easy Steps." Neatorama. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2014.● "Sentient Developments: The Top 10 Existential Movies of All Time."Sentient Developments:
The Top 10 Existential Movies of All Time. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2014.● "500 EXISTENTIAL FILMS - Movie List." MUBI. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2014.● "Existentialism Movies & Media Adaptations." BookRags. BookRags, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2014.● "Six Basic Themes of Existentialism - Kalamazoo Valley Community College." Six Basic Themes
of Existentialism - Kalamazoo Valley Community College. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2014.