Closing Out The Year
We will wind up our study of literature this year with a section on existentialism. Besides doing some research on the theory of existentialism itself, we will read three works: Siddhartha (Herman Hesse), Waiting for Godot (Samuel Beckett), and The Stranger (Albert Camus).
Existentialism is the philosophy that places emphasis on individual existence, freedom, and choice. Existentialism stresses the individuality of existence, and the problems that arise with said existence. Because there is so much diversity in the philosophy of existentialism, a concrete definition is hard to put down. Certain themes are common to almost all existential writing, which helps mark the writing as such. The term itself suggests one major theme, the stress on concrete, individual existence, and on subjectivity, individual freedom and choice.
Click below for the worksheet that outlines the readings and some of your final assignments for this year.
