Existentialism and Expressionism
Expressionism
Expressionism Quotes
What is expressionism? -
- Technique of distorting objects and events in order to represent them as they are perceived by a character in a literary work
- Example: Kafka wrote The Metamorphosis as a distorted reflection of his own life through a character similar to him--as a sickly and shy boy himself, Kafka felt that he, too, often did not fit in with his father’s expectations.
- “Author or artist expresses an emotional experience rather than impressions of the external world”
Existentialism Summary
- Quote #1- "Of course Gregor immediately hid under the couch." (P.29)
- Quote #2- "So, to spare her even this sight, one day he carried the sheet on his back to the couch." (P.29)
- Quote #3- "Oh God," he thought, "what a grueling job I've picked! Day in, day out- on the road". (P.1)
- Existentialism is the philosophy that exaggerates freedom, choice, and individual existence
- Argues that individuals must make their own independent choices
- Originated in the 19th Century by philosophers Nietzsche and Kierkegaard
Quotes Explained
In a sense, Gregor embodies Kafka’s emotional insecurities. By being one and the same, the events in the novel are distorted based upon the events in Kafka’s life.
- In the first two quotes, Kafka relates his childhood experiences, particularly his isolation from his family.
- In the third quote, Kafka relates his feelings about his work with Gregor. Just like Gregor, Kafka did not like his real job because it did not give him enough time to write while Gregor only worked to support his family.
History of Expressionism
History of Existentialism
History-
- Is rooted with 19th century philosophers
- Kierkegaard: we use rationality simply to comfort our existential anxieties omniscient Creator imposes limits on free will
- Nietzsche: there is no meaning behind human existence, “God is dead”
- religion is meek and there is no such thing as values and truth
- nature dictates some of our choices
- Response to cultural situation and social upheaval in 19th century Europe (erosion of fundamental biblical beliefs, Darwinism)
- Derived from time in society with deep sense of despair resulting from WWII and Great Depression. Optimistic sentiments were eradicated by WWI and the destruction it brought upon society.
- Rationalism from the enlightenment was rejected during the movement of existentialism because philosophers began challenging reason as a way of knowing. Neitzsche rejected logic and reason for what he called the “Will to power”
- truth is not known intellectually, rather it is created and lived by those who have been able to grow out of their will
- people make their own truths
- Origin of the term expressionism is traced back to paintings in 1901 by artist Julien Auguste Herve, which he called Expressionismes
- Associated with Northern Europe and Germany
- Centered in Germany at the start of the 20th century, Expressionism is known for presenting the world solely from a subjective perspective and distorting it for emotional effect to express the emotions of the artist.
- Developed as avantgarde style before WWI. Remained popular during the Weimar Republic, especially in Berlin. Its style extended beyond solely painting, but into architecture, literature, theater, dance, and music.
- The collapse of the structure of ruling power was expected to bring with it a new world. But the artistic and political ideology of expressionism peaked in 1923, and by the end of that year, politically motivated attacks against modern art had begun.
- Style of expressionism is a reaction to positivism and other artistic styles including naturalism and impressionism.
Applicable Existentialism
- Journey of finding self-identity
- Answers the questions of "What is the point of living?" and "How should I live my life?"
- The only one to blame for your misfortunes is yourself
Examples of Expressionism
Examples of Existentialism
- Alice in Wonderland - Alice wishes she hadn’t come there but it was her decision and no one else’s.
- In “No Exit” by Jean-Paul Sartre, people are left in a room and they think it is hell but no one arrives to torture them. The soon see that they are there to torture each other and they discuss each other’s lives and actions.
- Monty Python dealt with existentialism in their 1983 film “Monty Python's The Meaning of Life”
- “The Stranger” by Albert Camus involves themes of isolation and the insignificance of a person within a larger society.
Quotes Explained
Quotes
- "Only when he accidentally passed the food laid out for him would he take a bite into his mouth just for fun, hold it in for hours, and then mostly spit it out again" (P.43).
- "Gregor's body was completely flat and dry" (P.52).
- "I would have quit a long time ago, I would have marched up to the boss and spoken my piece from the bottom of my heart" (P.4).
- Quote #1: There is always a choice to be made.
- Quote #2: Gregor died alone following an existence marked by succumbing to the irrational universe without attempting to impose meaning in his situation.
- Quote #3: Worldly desires are futile.
- Kafka embodying his own thoughts and emotions into Gregor Samsa
- Reinhard Johannes Sorge’s play Der Bettler