NTT: Proposal

Final Project.

How do The Stranger and Nausea reveal differences and universalities in existentialist thought?

Camus and Sartre are often used as interchangeable representations of existentialism, a philosophy underscoring the inherent absurdity of life but the ability of humans to define their own meanings. However, although Camus and Sartre both contributed largely to the meaning of the existentialist movement, the two differed on their individual views of existentialism, with Camus even refusing to refer to himself as a true existentialist (although much of his work contains existentialist undertones).

As representations of these two great thinkers, writers, and philosophers, The Stranger and Nausea are widely considered to be chef-d'oeuvres of Camus and Sartre, respectively. In these works, Sartre and Camus define their own existentialist (or near-existentialist, if you asked Camus) philosophies, and in turn also defined the existentialist movement and philosophy. Thus, in inspecting these works, it is possible to come to a better understanding of the differences not only between these two works but also between these two authors and even between two sects of existentialist (or quasi-existentialist) thought. 

Both novels cover the stories of individual characters and their environments, slowing descending into or revealing ideas prevalent in existentialist thought. But through various motifs, themes, characterizations, and even words, Camus and Sartre create two very similar but also different works that can be picked apart as representations of these two authors. 

How do these characters experience the world? What drives and shapes these characters and their attitudes? Why do these characters begin to show or descend into existentialism? Why do Camus and Sartre make their creative decisions? How do these characters interact with other characters and objects?