existentialism
Paul Abante
Mrs. Bugni
English 12 honors
5 January 2015
Existentialism
Life’s remorseless nature presents uncontrollable situations to everyone at the most unexpected times. Like any game of cards, life deals a set of cards that a player is forced to play. This is known as agency; the concept that each human individual within a culture has the ability to determine and choose by free will his or her actions. Some prime examples that shine this principle is Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning”, Albert Camus’, “The Guest”, Franz Kafka’s, “The Metamorphosis”, and Christof’s film, “The Truman show.” In each example, a third party advocate interferes and inhabits each protagonist into a controlled setting where the protagonists are confronted with a moral dilemma. In Frankl’s, “Man’s Search for Meaning”, the “dealer” inhabits Frankl in the concentration camp of Auschwitz. Unlike the other protagonists, Frankl possesses a psychological background and uses his knowledge to a great advantage. Frankl is able to analyze his brutal experiences in the camps to provide somewhat of a guide for those who are having trouble finding meaning in their lives even in the harshest environments. Like all the other protagonists Frankl is given a moral dilemma; whether he should dwell and suffer from electric fence syndrome or make something out of his experience and give inspiration to those who are in need. The central focus that Frankl was trying to reach to the readers was that no matter what type of suffering a person endures, as long as they hold onto their faith that everything happens for a reason, they can survive. By believing that everything happens for a reason, individuals are able to weather the storms of their lives with the strength and determination to overcome. For Frankl, he was able to weather his journey by living by his word and believing that he had a future after his captivity. Camus’ story, “The Guest”, is about choices. Daru, the schoolmaster, is an
Mrs. Bugni
English 12 honors
5 January 2015
Existentialism
Life’s remorseless nature presents uncontrollable situations to everyone at the most unexpected times. Like any game of cards, life deals a set of cards that a player is forced to play. This is known as agency; the concept that each human individual within a culture has the ability to determine and choose by free will his or her actions. Some prime examples that shine this principle is Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning”, Albert Camus’, “The Guest”, Franz Kafka’s, “The Metamorphosis”, and Christof’s film, “The Truman show.” In each example, a third party advocate interferes and inhabits each protagonist into a controlled setting where the protagonists are confronted with a moral dilemma. In Frankl’s, “Man’s Search for Meaning”, the “dealer” inhabits Frankl in the concentration camp of Auschwitz. Unlike the other protagonists, Frankl possesses a psychological background and uses his knowledge to a great advantage. Frankl is able to analyze his brutal experiences in the camps to provide somewhat of a guide for those who are having trouble finding meaning in their lives even in the harshest environments. Like all the other protagonists Frankl is given a moral dilemma; whether he should dwell and suffer from electric fence syndrome or make something out of his experience and give inspiration to those who are in need. The central focus that Frankl was trying to reach to the readers was that no matter what type of suffering a person endures, as long as they hold onto their faith that everything happens for a reason, they can survive. By believing that everything happens for a reason, individuals are able to weather the storms of their lives with the strength and determination to overcome. For Frankl, he was able to weather his journey by living by his word and believing that he had a future after his captivity. Camus’ story, “The Guest”, is about choices. Daru, the schoolmaster, is an