I've tried to explain some of this (examining key concepts) of existentialism or at least the concepts that will majorly impact your reading of Kafka's Metamorphosis.
Universe
Most people seek to make sense of life; unfortunately, life either does not have any inherent meaning or it might be without a meaning we can understand . Either way, the human desires for logic and immortality are futile. We are forced to define our own meanings, knowing they might be temporary. In this existence... Key concept: the individual defines everything.
The Meaning of LifeThat being said, however, many things have personal value. So studying philosophy, biology -- or even the meaningless nature of life -- can have value to the individual.Key concept: value is determined by the individual through his or her own existence.The Afterlife Mankind is the only known animal, according to earth-bound existentialists, that defines itself through the act of living. In other words, first a man or woman exists, then the individual spends a lifetime changing his or her essence. Without life there can be no meaning; the search for meaning in existentialism is the search for self. In other words, we define ourselves by living; suicide would indicate you have chosen to have no meaning. Existentialists believe in living -- and in fact fighting for life. Key concept: Void -- Life -- Void
The Sentimental ConspiracyThe nature of life among people is that you are pressured to behave the way everyone else behaves. Life is filled with obligations dictated by society.
The sentimental conspiracy is a term used by existentialists to describe the way a culture forces its members to participate unnecessary, traditional social obligations.Key concept: Live life according to your own rules (recognizing that there are consequences for not following society's rules).
The sentimental conspiracy is a term used by existentialists to describe the way a culture forces its members to participate unnecessary, traditional social obligations.Key concept: Live life according to your own rules (recognizing that there are consequences for not following society's rules).
Boiling It All Down:
Read this slowly and carefully:
Read this slowly and carefully:
1. Because there is no such thing as absolute value or meaning, humans are free to do whatever they want.
2.Life has no meaning except that meaning which is made through experiencing one's own experiences.
3.Life is a series of choices. Every time you have a choice you are free to decide what you want.
4.Because you are free to decide, all these choices create stress.
5.More stress is created because society puts tremendous pressure on the individual to conform to its arbitrary, artificial rules (remember, though, because of #1, the rules are meaningless).
6. This stress is made greater because very few decisions are without any negative consequences.
7. If one makes a decision, he or she must follow through, because by making the decision because life can only be defined by the individual and the individual's choices are the only things that are "real."
8. Because of all the above, life causes despair.
Real uplifting philosophy, huh? Now keeping this in mind. In The Metamorphosis the main character chooses not to make definite choices. Think about existentialists could have a problem with this? Why would indecision be such a huge problem for an existentialist?
-Mrs. B
