Existentialism in Art & Literature -...

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By Valerie Chadee, Kelsay Cook, and Katrina Le Existentialism in Art & Literature

Transcript of Existentialism in Art & Literature -...

By Valerie Chadee, Kelsay Cook, and Katrina Le

Existentialism in Art & Literature

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

Blue Pill or Red Pill-The Matrix

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

EXAMPLES IN ART

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.

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