Solitude, suffering, and creativity in three existentialist novels

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As existent beings, we identify with the world through our thoughts and perceptions. Man is drivento seek meaning by the very complexities and contradictions of existence. As self-consciousbeings, we cannot live without a sense of awareness and understanding. Creativity allows anindividual to develop a unique understanding of the nature and destiny of man. This study drawsattention to writers who were able to transcend their external environment and immersethemselves in a setting where man's individuality is fundamental to living an authentic life.Camus, Dostoevsky and Kafka made every effort to live consciously and authentically. Theybelieved that inwardness was not to be defined by an external, social setting, but rather through anintimacy of consciousness. This awareness and unveiling of being enables us to create meaning.These authors removed their social mantles and were willing to sacrifice acceptance in the pursuitof this cause. They believed that every man has a responsibility to live an individual and authenticlife. This psychological and even physical isolation is not easy, however, and often causes muchsuffering. Using existentialism as a framework, this thesis will focus on solitariness, suffering andcreativity, all of which point to the importance of individual consciousness rather than living a life ofsocietal pressures and conformity.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University