The Metamorphosis - Existentialism Perspective

Existentialism

A Different Perspective on The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Major Beliefs and Ideas

What is it?

Philosophical approach to understanding human existence and experiences

Based on idea that humans are free to make their own decisions

Main Beliefs

Existentialists believe that humans are put in this concrete world that cannot be changed by only thought.

Also that you have a sense of existence before you have a consciousness.

Only actions can change the world not mere thought

Works Cited

Other Beliefs

No outside forces can govern our lives; individuals take full responsibility.

Human nature is chosen through experiences you go through in life.

"Existentialism." - Literature Periods & Movements. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Sept. 2014.

"Literary Existentialism." About Atheism. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Sept. 2014.

"Existentialism - By Branch / Doctrine - The Basics of Philosophy."Existentialism - By Branch / Doctrine - The Basics of Philosophy. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Sept. 2014.

"Existentialism." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Sept. 2014.

"The History of Existentialism." The History of Existentialism. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Aug. 2014.

McDonald, William. "Søren Kierkegaard." Stanford University. Stanford University, 03 Dec. 1996. Web. 07 Sept. 2014.

Henry, Nancy A. "Fine Art and Existentialism." SlideShare. N.p., 13 Dec. 2010. Web. 7 Aug. 2014.

Application of Existentialism to The Metamorphosis

Gregor

According to Existentialism, it is the people's choice to maintain a balance between our individuality and our society.

Although he became a cockroach, this gave

Gregor time to have an existential crisis.

It gives time to wonder his worth in life. His family

used to be dependent on him, but now his father

has a job, his sister takes care of cooking,

and the household is running smoothly. What

was the point of all the work he was doing?

Why did he stay with that job for so long?

Why did his dad not work before? Then his

sister could go to violin school and they could

pay off debt.

Artists of Existentialism

Gregor initially chooses society over himself but after his physical transformation, he is forced to focus on himself rather than society.

However, Gregor learned learned to live for himself too late to become a whole person.

Due to his transformation, Gregor begins to look for entertainment and fun in form of a bug - a form that knows nothing but work.

Pablo Picasso

Van Gogh

Pablo Picasso captured existentialist themes through his painting "Guernica" by showing existential meaninglessness and emptiness

even though he painted in the 1800s, van gogh captured existentialist themes with is painting "night cafe" which depicted the horrors of emptiness

Existentialism Through Literature

Edvard Munch

Jean-Paul Sartre:

Munch captured existentialist themes with his painting "the scream" by depicting shock and terror.

20th - century existential thinker + author

A Story of an Academic who becomes aware of the singularity of his own existence.

"Given ultimate freedom, humans had ultimate responsibility for their own actions".

Historical Background

Themes of Existentialism

Philosophy as a way of life

Anxiety and Authenticity

Freedom

Existence

Irrationality/Absurdity

The Crowd

Other Philosophers

Friedrich Nietzsche

Martin Heidegger

Jean Paul Sartre

Simone de Beauvoir

Albert Camus

History of Philosophers

Soren Kierkegaard - Father of Existentialism

Notable ideas-

Three Spheres of Human Existence

Aesthetic

Ethical

Religious