This blog is written as a part of the sem-2 assignment, submitted to the Department of English, MKBU.
Name: Avani Jani
Roll: 3
Semester: 2
Enrollment number: 4069206420220014
Paper 10: History of English Literature – From 1900 to 2000
Topic: Absurd Hero
Submitted to: Smt. S. B. Gardi Department of English, MKBU.
What is the meaning of Absurd? Write a note on the Absurd Hero.
Introduction:
The term Absurdism is a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the 20th century, particularly in the aftermath of World War II. It is characterized by a sense of disillusionment with traditional philosophical and religious frameworks, and a recognition of the inherent meaninglessness and irrationality of the universe.
Absurdism posits that human beings exist in a universe that is fundamentally indifferent and irrational and that any attempt to find meaning or purpose in life is ultimately futile. It rejects the idea that there is any inherent meaning or value in existence and asserts that individuals must create their own meaning and purpose in life.
One of the central themes of absurdism is the idea of the "absurd," which refers to the inherent contradiction between the human search for meaning and the meaningless universe in which we exist. Absurdist literature and drama often explore this theme through the use of surreal or irrational elements, such as characters who are trapped in an endless cycle of meaningless actions or who are confronted with inexplicable and absurd situations.
Some of the key figures associated with absurdism include Albert Camus, Samuel Beckett, and Eugene Ionesco. Overall, absurdism represents a rejection of traditional philosophical and religious frameworks, and a call for individuals to embrace the inherent meaninglessness of existence and create their own purpose in life.
Absurd:
As per Cambridge Dictionary, The word Absurd means - stupid and unreasonable, or silly in a humorous way. (“Absurd | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary”)
Absurd refers to something that is extremely unreasonable, illogical, or foolish. It can also refer to a situation or event that is bizarre, ridiculous, or nonsensical.
As per merriam webster's Dictionary, Absurdism is ‘Works of the absurd often feature surreal or fantastical elements and explore themes of alienation, meaninglessness, and the breakdown of language and communication.’ (“Absurdism Definition & Meaning”)
Absurdism is a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the 20th century, particularly in France and is associated with writers such as Albert Camus, Samuel Beckett, and Eugene Ionesco.
During the period World Wars, Absurdism emerged as a reaction to the mass killings and destruction that characterized those wars, leading many writers to believe that human existence was meaningless. In the context of war, Absurdism can be seen as a critique of the idea that nations engage in wars to achieve some ultimate goal, as such goals are illusory and the brutality of war is ultimately against humanity.
Kierkegaard and Camus were influential writers who proposed solutions to the problem of absurdism. Kierkegaard's "The Sickness Unto Death" argues that individuals can find meaning in life by developing a personal relationship with God. On the other hand, Camus considers adopting or creating a meaning framework, such as religion, as philosophical suicide, as it involves submitting to an idea or being beyond one's observed limits of freedom. When we talk about ‘Absurdism’, the very first name that strikes our mind is ‘Albert Camus’.
Albert Camus-
Albert Camus (1913-1960) was a French philosopher, journalist, and novelist, widely considered one of the most important literary and intellectual figures of the 20th century. He was born in Algeria and grew up in a working-class family.
Camus is best known for his philosophy of absurdism, which emphasizes the futility of seeking meaning and purpose in a fundamentally meaningless and irrational universe. He explored this theme in his novels, essays, and plays, including "The Stranger," "The Plague," and "The Myth of Sisyphus."
In addition to his philosophical work, Camus was an outspoken critic of totalitarianism and colonialism, and his political and social commentary was widely influential during his lifetime. He was a prominent member of the French Resistance during World War II, and he used his platform as a writer to advocate for human rights and social justice.
Camus was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957, just three years before his death in a car accident. His work continues to be widely read and studied today, and he remains an important figure in French and world literature.
Camus grew up in poverty in Algeria and moved to France to study philosophy. He became involved in the French Resistance during World War II and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957 for his literary and philosophical contributions to the world. (Todd)
In "The Myth of Sisyphus," Camus argues that human existence is fundamentally absurd and meaningless, but that individuals can rebel against this meaninglessness by embracing the absurdity of existence and creating their own meaning. He famously wrote, "The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy." (Camus)
Camus' novels explore themes of alienation, isolation, and the absurdity of human existence. "The Stranger," tells the story of Meursault, a man who kills an Arab for no apparent reason, and who is condemned to death for his lack of remorse. "The Plague" is a novel about a fictional town that is struck by a deadly disease, and explores the themes of suffering, death, and the struggle to find meaning in the face of adversity.
Camus' work has had a significant influence on philosophy, literature, and popular culture, and his ideas continue to be studied and debated today.
Philosophy of Albert Camus:
Sagi and Sagi claim in their book that Camus's philosophy is dynamic and changes over time. The two pivots of this philosophy, which also establish its boundaries, are The ‘Myth of Sisyphus’ and ‘The Rebel.’ (Sagi and Sagi)
His philosophy of absurdism can be exemplified in his essay ‘Le Mythe de Sisyphe’ (The Myth of Sisyphus: 1942).
Albert Camus (1913-1960) gives a quite different account of the philosophy and politics of existentialism from that of Sartre. Perhaps the most striking difference from Sartre is his conception of the absurd.
For Sartre absurdity belongs to the world before the activity of consciousness, while Camus’s idea of the absurd is closer to Kierkegaard and Nietzsche—the absurd is a direct consequence of the absence of God. (Camus )
Without God the discrepancy between human aspirations and the world is acute. The human condition is characterized by the probability of suffering and the certainty of death—a fate that human reason cannot accept as reasonable.
The absurd comes with the realization that the world is not rational: “At this point of his effort, a man stands face to face with the irrational. He feels within himself his longing for happiness and for reason. The absurd is born of this confrontation between the human need and the unreasonable silence of the world” This confrontation is epitomized in The Plague (1947) in the painful death of a child. (Camus )
Camus’ conclusion on Sisyphus is that-“One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” (Camus )
At any street corner, the feeling of absurdity can strike any man in the face. As it is, in its distressing nudity, in its light without effulgence, it is elusive. But that very difficulty deserves reflection. It is probably true that a man remains forever unknown to us and that there is in him something irreducible that escapes us. But practically I know men and recognize them by their behavior, by the totality of their deeds, by the consequences caused in life by their presence. ((Camus )
In this particular passage, Camus is suggesting that at any moment, a person can suddenly become aware of the absurdity of their own existence, the feeling that life lacks inherent meaning or purpose. This feeling is difficult to articulate because it is not something tangible or concrete, but rather a sense of emptiness or pointlessness that pervades human life.
However, despite this inherent elusiveness of the feeling of absurdity, Camus argues that it is worth reflecting on because it highlights the fact that human beings are fundamentally mysterious and unknowable. He suggests that while we may never fully understand another person, we can still recognize them by their actions and the impact they have on the world around them.
while the feeling of absurdity may be difficult to grasp, we can still come to understand something about the human condition by observing the way that people live their lives and the consequences that result from their actions. (“Absurd | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary”)
The Absurd Hero:
Meursault from “The Stranger” :
“After a while, you could get used to anything.”
― Albert Camus, The Stranger (Camus)
The protagonist of Albert Camus' novel "The Stranger," Meursault, is often considered to be an absurd hero. Meursault is a detached and apathetic character who struggles to find meaning and purpose in his life and ultimately comes to the realization that the world is meaningless and irrational.
Meursault is characterized by his indifference to social conventions and his inability to connect emotionally with other people. He is shown to be emotionally detached even in the face of major life events, such as his mother's death. Meursault's detachment is seen as an example of Camus' philosophy of the absurd, which posits that the world is fundamentally meaningless and irrational and that individuals must create their own meaning in life.
Throughout the novel, Meursault is put on trial for the murder of an Arab man. The murder is not premeditated, but rather the result of a series of events that Meursault does not fully understand. Despite the seriousness of the charges against him, Meursault remains emotionally detached and appears to be more concerned with the heat and his physical discomfort than with the trial itself.
Meursault's trial can be seen as an example of the absurdity of the world, in that he is being judged not for his actions, but for his lack of conformity to societal norms. The court is more interested in Meursault's emotional response to his mother's death and his lack of remorse for the murder than in the actual circumstances of the crime.
Despite his detachment and lack of concern for societal norms, Meursault is shown to possess a kind of heroic courage. He refuses to give in to societal pressures and insists on living his life on his own terms, even when faced with the ultimate consequence of death. Meursault's refusal to conform to societal expectations can be seen as an act of defiance against the absurdity of the world.
In conclusion, Meursault can be seen as an example of the absurd hero in Camus' philosophy of the absurd. He is a detached and apathetic character who struggles to find meaning and purpose in a meaningless and irrational world. Despite his lack of emotional engagement and his rejection of societal norms, Meursault's refusal to conform can be seen as an act of heroic defiance against the absurdity of the world.
Patrice Mersault from ‘A Happy Death :
The protagonist of Albert Camus' novel "A Happy Death," Patrice Mersault, is often considered to be an example of an absurd hero. Like many of Camus' characters, Patrice is a man struggling to find meaning and purpose in life and ultimately comes to the realization that the world is fundamentally meaningless and irrational.
Patrice is shown to be a detached and apathetic character who is unable to connect emotionally with other people. He is preoccupied with his own thoughts and feelings and is often indifferent to the feelings and experiences of those around him. His detachment is seen as an example of Camus' philosophy of the absurd, which holds that the world is devoid of inherent meaning and that individuals must create their own meaning in life.
The novel follows Patrice's journey as he tries to find meaning and purpose in his life. He experiments with various ways of living, including a life of hedonism, a life of solitude, and a life of commitment to a cause. In each case, however, Patrice is left feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied. He ultimately comes to the realization that the world is meaningless and that his own life is ultimately insignificant in the grand scheme of things. There is a reference to suicide in "A Happy Death". Patrice Mersault contemplates suicide at various points throughout the novel as he struggles with the meaning of life and his own mortality. In fact, the opening sentence of the book reads,
"Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday; I can't be sure,"
which hints at a sense of detachment from life and a fascination with death. (Camus ) In one particularly significant scene, Patrice has a dream in which he contemplates jumping from a high cliff. This dream serves as a metaphor for his desire to escape the mundane and unsatisfying aspects of life and to embrace the unknown, even if it means risking everything. While suicide is not explicitly condoned or celebrated in the novel, it is presented as a possible outcome of existential struggles and a means of asserting one's own freedom and autonomy. However, the novel ultimately suggests that true happiness and fulfillment can be found in embracing life and accepting one's own mortality, rather than trying to escape from it.
Despite his detachment and lack of concern for societal norms, Patrice is shown to possess a kind of heroic courage. He refuses to give in to societal pressures and insists on living his life on his own terms, even when faced with the ultimate consequence of death. Patrice's refusal to conform to societal expectations can be seen as an act of defiance against the absurdity of the world.
In conclusion, Patrice can be seen as an example of the absurd hero in Camus' philosophy of the absurd. He is a detached and apathetic character who struggles to find meaning and purpose in a meaningless and irrational world. Despite his lack of emotional engagement and his rejection of societal norms, Patrice's refusal to conform can be seen as an act of heroic defiance against the absurdity of the world. The novel "A Happy Death" is a poignant exploration of the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in a world that seems devoid of inherent purpose.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Albert Camus was a prominent figure in the development of the absurd hero concept, which reflects his philosophy that the universe is inherently meaningless and irrational. Through his characters, Camus portrays the struggle of individuals to find meaning and purpose in life in a world that seems to lack it. The protagonists of his novels reject societal norms and expectations, and live their lives on their own terms, even in the face of death. Despite their detachment, their refusal to conform can be seen as an act of heroic defiance against the absurdity of the world. Camus' absurd heroes highlight the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that seems to lack it, and the bravery required to live life authentically.
Words: 2446
Works Cited:
“Absurdism Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absurdism.
Bendall, Kent. The Journal of Philosophy, https://www.jstor.org/stable/i309249.
Camus, Albert. Camus: The Myth of Sisyphus. The University of Hawaii, http://www2.hawaii.edu/~freeman/courses/phil360/16.%20Myth%20of%20Sisyphus.pdf.
Camus, Albert. Great Ideas Myth of Sisyphus. Penguin UK, 2005.
Camus, Albert. A Happy Death. Translated by Richard Howard, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 1995.
Camus, Albert. The Plague. Penguin Books, Limited, 2010.
Sagi, Abraham, and Avi Sagi. Albert Camus and the Philosophy of the Absurd. Translated by Batya Stein, Rodopi, 2002. Accessed 15 March 2023.
Shaw, Daniel. “Absurdity and Suicide.” Philosophy Research Archives. Philosophy Research Archives, https://www.pdcnet.org/pra/content/pra_1985_0011_0000_0209_0223.
Todd, Olivier. Albert Camus: A Life. Hachette Books, 2000. Accessed 15 March 2023.
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