As stated by Nietzsche, "Without music, life would be a mistake." It was with this in mind that I made a mix CD. Although I’m sure all the songs don’t directly relate to existentialism, they all struck me as being close enough to make the stretch. When I set out to make this CD, I sought out songs that had to do with defining the individual as well as songs that I had a personal connection to. Some songs are about defining yourself and other are about how you interact with the world. Each contributes something to my overall understanding of existentialism and hopefully to yours as well. These songs vary greatly in style (from rap to classic rock to pop) but they each struck me as having to do with how one defines themselves within the world and how they use that definition to live their life.
Life’s A Song by Patrick Park
Come As You Are by Nirvana
I Am The Walrus by The Beatles
Blowin’ In the Wind by Bob Dylan
Sugar, We’re Going Down by Fall Out Boy
Two-Headed Boy by Neutral Milk Hotel
I’m Me by Lil Wayne
Soul Meets Body by Death Cab For Cutie
Handlebars by Flobots
Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Float On by Modest Mouse
Dream On by Aerosmith
The World At Large by Modest Mouse
American Pie by Don McLean
In case you were confused, this is not really a CD
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Grendel
“Grendel” by John Gardner is a retelling of the ancient epic Beowulf from the perspective of the monster, Grendel. At the outset of the novel, the reader is presented with Grendel stuck in a tree, which is being attacked by a bull. This bull, as Grendel soon realizes is mechanical, attacking over and over tirelessly. Presented with this, Grendel realizes that the “world [is] nothing: a mechanical chaos of casual, brute enmity on which we stupidly impose our hopes and fears.” Later on, when Grendel meets the Dragon, he learns that he is the way by which humans define themselves. At first Grendel exists almost entirely in this capacity because he believes that life is inherently meaningless, he attacks and destroys the humans at will. However, on several occasions, he acts in a manner that places him outside this nihilistic role.
Grendel chooses however to ignore the role society has placed on him as the destroyer and instead defines himself in a manner in which he sees fit. When Grendel battles with Unferth, he is about to kill him, as he customarily does, however he is struck by the idea to not kill him in order that Unferth will never gain the hero status he desires. But by not killing him, Grendel deviates from his usual (and somewhat mechanical) destructive actions. This allows Grendel to gain a bit of grip on his sanity and builds his determination to give his life meaning in a meaningless world.
Grendel further defines human’s role for him when he is about to kill Wealtheow and suddenly realizes that it would be “meaningless, killing her. As meaningless as letting her live. It would be, for me, mere pointless pleasure, an illusion of order for this one frail, foolish, flicker-flash in the long dull fall of eternity.” Ultimately, he leaves her unscathed. This decision places Grendel in complete control of his life as well as how he defines himself. His existence in a world he views as utterly meaningless gains meaning when he acts in a manner that defies his role in the world. So by not entirely succumbing to the destructive role placed upon him, he has defined his existence as well as his essence. With is dying breath he speaks “Poor Grendel's had an accident . . . So may you all.” Grendel’s death solidifies his choice to be who he defined himself as and he wishes that self-defining capacity on all. Grendel serves to show that even if you are dissatisfied with your role in life, it is entirely possible to define yourself as you see fit.
Grendel chooses however to ignore the role society has placed on him as the destroyer and instead defines himself in a manner in which he sees fit. When Grendel battles with Unferth, he is about to kill him, as he customarily does, however he is struck by the idea to not kill him in order that Unferth will never gain the hero status he desires. But by not killing him, Grendel deviates from his usual (and somewhat mechanical) destructive actions. This allows Grendel to gain a bit of grip on his sanity and builds his determination to give his life meaning in a meaningless world.
Grendel further defines human’s role for him when he is about to kill Wealtheow and suddenly realizes that it would be “meaningless, killing her. As meaningless as letting her live. It would be, for me, mere pointless pleasure, an illusion of order for this one frail, foolish, flicker-flash in the long dull fall of eternity.” Ultimately, he leaves her unscathed. This decision places Grendel in complete control of his life as well as how he defines himself. His existence in a world he views as utterly meaningless gains meaning when he acts in a manner that defies his role in the world. So by not entirely succumbing to the destructive role placed upon him, he has defined his existence as well as his essence. With is dying breath he speaks “Poor Grendel's had an accident . . . So may you all.” Grendel’s death solidifies his choice to be who he defined himself as and he wishes that self-defining capacity on all. Grendel serves to show that even if you are dissatisfied with your role in life, it is entirely possible to define yourself as you see fit.
Notes From the Underground
“Notes from the Underground,” by Fyodor Dostoevsky is considered by many to be the first existentialist novel, although it was written before the term “existentialism” was coined. The novel is focused once again on an unnamed narrator but he is generally referred to as the Underground Man. This novel is divided into two distinct parts, the first part being the more existential of the two and it deals with suffering, enjoyment of suffering, reason, and logic. The narrator is best understood through this passage:
Essentially (or should I say existentially?), the Underground Man is so fixated on his spitefulness that it causes him to avoid concepts that he is fixated on. The true existentialism comes when the Underground Man criticizes man’s attempt at establishing the “Crystal Palace” because although it is possible to live in an ideal and inherently good world, it is possible for anyone at anytime to act against what is considered to be good. He also says that this is due in part to their desire to prove themselves as individuals. This choice of who one is as a person and how one defines themselves is a cornerstone to existentialism and Dostoevsky also seeks to explore man’s place in the world. The novel does a particularly adept job as explaining where he felt that humanity was going, and although he did not believe that that is what is should be, he characterized the Underground Man’s suffering as man’s own suffering in a world that was growing increasingly irrational.
I am a sick man... I am a spiteful man. I am an unattractive
man. I believe my liver is diseased....
I was lying when I said just now that I was a spiteful official. I was lying from spite. I was simply amusing myself with the petitioners and with the officer, and in reality I never could become spiteful.
It was not only that I could not become spiteful, I did not know how to become anything: neither spiteful nor kind, neither a rascal not an honest man, neither a hero nor an insect. Now, I am living out my life in my corner, taunting myself with the spiteful and useless consolation that an intelligent man cannot become anything seriously, and it is only the fool who becomes anything.... I am forty years old now.... To live longer than forty years is bad manners, is vulgar, immoral. Who does live beyond forty? Answer that, sincerely and honestly. I will tell you who do: fools and worthless fellows.
Essentially (or should I say existentially?), the Underground Man is so fixated on his spitefulness that it causes him to avoid concepts that he is fixated on. The true existentialism comes when the Underground Man criticizes man’s attempt at establishing the “Crystal Palace” because although it is possible to live in an ideal and inherently good world, it is possible for anyone at anytime to act against what is considered to be good. He also says that this is due in part to their desire to prove themselves as individuals. This choice of who one is as a person and how one defines themselves is a cornerstone to existentialism and Dostoevsky also seeks to explore man’s place in the world. The novel does a particularly adept job as explaining where he felt that humanity was going, and although he did not believe that that is what is should be, he characterized the Underground Man’s suffering as man’s own suffering in a world that was growing increasingly irrational.
Fight Club; an Existential Perspective
The movie “Fight Club,” which is based of the novel of the same name, is directed by David Fincher and stars Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. In this novel the viewer is forced to explore their own materialistic tendencies as well as delve into the ambiguity of reality and truth. The movies title comes from a Tyler Durden’s (Brad Pitt) belief that that previous generations were defined by the battles they fought, more specifically WWII and Vietnam and that our generations lack of a great war took that definition away from us. In the absence of that being, we are a consumerist society fixed on distraction. Enter the nameless narrator, played by Edward Norton. He is the epitome of a consumerist particularly after uttering the quote “I flipped through catalogs and wondered: What kind of dining set defines me as a person?”
A defining quote of existentialism is that “existence precedes essence” which was coined by Jean-Paul Sartre. Norton’s character is completely dominated by his essence, but Tyler eventually reveals to him his existence is not his own choosing but rather a list of things he has been sold and eagerly waited to buy. Later in the movie it is revealed that Tyler is Norton’s alter-ego which makes the existentialist struggle between him and his own soul all the more interesting because it is played out between two men. But because “man chooses his own self” Tyler was created to force Norton into becoming the man he wanted to be. By choosing his own existence and struggling to define his life as he wishes it to be, Norton is faced with the realization that he is also responsible for the way he lives his life. It is with this in mind that the climax of the movie occurs and a fight breaks out between Tyler and Norton’s character and he becomes aware the Tyler is himself, so in the final scene of the movie, he shoots himself (in order to shoot Tyler). In this final moment, Norton comes to terms not only with his essence, but his existence.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Existential wahhhhh? Or, your first existential crisis
Existentialism has its beginnings as a philosophical perspective that emphasizes the concept that the world is inherently irrational and illogical. It is in the face of this that humans strive to behave in a rational manner. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, existentialism is concerned with the plight of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right or wrong. Because there is no inherent meaning to life, the individual must establish what life will mean to them. This can be a particularly frightening concept because if one were to fail or falter in the pursuit of this “meaning” they would be solely and utterly responsible. To be faced with the meaninglessness of the world can be devastating but at the same time an enlightening experience. It is how we define ourselves in an irrational world that creates our identity. The concept of both angst and freedom are also integral to understanding existentialism.
Authors use the concept of existentialism both to further their characterizations as well as the plot of their literary works. Existentialism is an essential part of a character’s discovery of their identity, or rather their realization that they define there own identify and are free to live in a manner of their choosing. This type of thought process also helps an author develop their plot because in the end, the world they create does not need to behave rationally, merely the people within them do. And it is not so much that a character must behave rationally, they must realize that it is there choice to act rationally. But by making their decision, they ultimately impact both their view of the world and the world they live in.
Existentialisms use as an analytical lens can be particularly insightful in that it can allow a reader to see the inner works of a character because it grants insight into how that character defines the world in which they live. This definition allows a reader to more closely identify with the author’s purpose and can be used to demonstrate freedom even when it is not apparent within the plot. Existentialism as a lens also has a self-reflecting aspect because it can force the reader to reconsider there own approach to life.
“Picture yourself on a cliff. At this point you not only fear
falling off it, but you also dread the possibility of throwing
yourself off. At this moment you understand that nothing
is holding you back. The realization of the lack of anything
that predetermines if you fall or stand still allows you to
experience your true freedom.”
Authors use the concept of existentialism both to further their characterizations as well as the plot of their literary works. Existentialism is an essential part of a character’s discovery of their identity, or rather their realization that they define there own identify and are free to live in a manner of their choosing. This type of thought process also helps an author develop their plot because in the end, the world they create does not need to behave rationally, merely the people within them do. And it is not so much that a character must behave rationally, they must realize that it is there choice to act rationally. But by making their decision, they ultimately impact both their view of the world and the world they live in.
Existentialisms use as an analytical lens can be particularly insightful in that it can allow a reader to see the inner works of a character because it grants insight into how that character defines the world in which they live. This definition allows a reader to more closely identify with the author’s purpose and can be used to demonstrate freedom even when it is not apparent within the plot. Existentialism as a lens also has a self-reflecting aspect because it can force the reader to reconsider there own approach to life.
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