Page 232 - DENG402_HISTORY_OF_ENGLISH_LITERATURE

Unit 30: Existentialism

A concept closely related to freedom is that of facticity, a concept defined by Sartre in Being Notes
and Nothingness as that “in-itself” of which humans are in the mode of not being.
Commonly defined as a loss of hope, Despair in existentialism is more specifically related
to the reaction to a breakdown in one or more of the defining qualities of one’s self or
identity.

30.6 Keywords

Nothingness : There is nothing that structures this world’s existence, man’s exist-
ence, or the existence of my computer. There is no essence that these
things are drawn from, since existence precedes essence, then that
means there is nothing.
Death : The theme of death follows along with the theme of nothingness.
Death is always there, there is no escaping from it. To think of death,
as everybody does sooner or later, causes anxiety. The only sure way
to end anxiety once and for all is death.

30.7 Review Questions
1. What is existential themes?
2. What is history and origins of existentialism?
3. What is focus on concrete existence and existence precedes essence?
4. What is Angst, Freedom and Facticity?
5. What is difference between Authenticity and Inauthenticity?
6. What is Despair and Reason? Explain.

Answers : Self Assessment
1. Existentialism 2. Plato 3. Subjectivity
4. Soren Kierkegaard 5. Varied philosophy

30.8 Further Readings

Books An Outline of History of English Literature, G. Bell and sons, London, 1930:
Hudson, W.H.
History of English Literature, Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi, 2004: Long. W.J.
A History of English Literature-Arthur-Compton-Rickett, UPSPD, New Delhi.

Online links literarism.blogspot.com/2011/10/sartre-existentialism.htm
www.online-literature.com/periods/existentialism.php
www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/EXISTENTIALISM?

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