Solitude, suffering, and creativity in three existentialist novels

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dc.contributor.advisorKlopper, Dirk
dc.contributor.authorBoag, Cara Ingrid
dc.contributor.otherUniversity of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of English.
dc.date.accessioned2009-11-25T15:20:29Zen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2010-06-01T08:31:19Z
dc.date.available2009-11-25T15:20:29Zen_ZA
dc.date.available2010-06-01T08:31:19Z
dc.date.issued2009-12
dc.descriptionThesis (MA (English Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
dc.description.abstractENGLISH ABSTRACT: As existent beings, we identify with the world through our thoughts and perceptions. Man is driven to seek meaning by the very complexities and contradictions of existence. As self-conscious beings, we cannot live without a sense of awareness and understanding. Creativity allows an individual to develop a unique understanding of the nature and destiny of man. This study draws attention to writers who were able to transcend their external environment and immerse themselves in a setting where man’s individuality is fundamental to living an authentic life. Camus, Dostoevsky and Kafka made every effort to live consciously and authentically. They believed that inwardness was not to be defined by an external, social setting, but rather through an intimacy of consciousness. This awareness and unveiling of being enables us to create meaning. These authors removed their social mantles and were willing to sacrifice acceptance in the pursuit of this cause. They believed that every man has a responsibility to live an individual and authentic life. This psychological and even physical isolation is not easy, however, and often causes much suffering. Using existentialism as a framework, this thesis will focus on solitariness, suffering and creativity, all of which point to the importance of individual consciousness rather than living a life of societal pressures and conformity.en
dc.description.abstractAFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: As lewende wesens identifiseer ons onsself met die wêreld deur middel van gedagtes en waarnemings. Die mens word gedryf deur die soeke na betekenis in die kompleksiteit en teenstellings van sy bestaan. As wesens met selfkennis kan ons nie leef met ‘n gebrek aan bewustheid en begrip nie. Kreatiwiteit laat die individu toe om ‘n unieke begrip van die aard en lot van die mens te ontwikkel. Hierdi verhandeling vestig die aandag op skrywers wat verby hul uiterlike omgewings kon uitreik en hulself kon indompel in ‘n mileu waar die mens se individualiteit grondliggend is om ‘n onvervalste lewe te lei. Camus, Dostoevsky en Kafka het alles in hul vermoë gedoen om bewustelik en suiwer te lewe. Hulle het geglo dat die innerlike nie gedefinieer kan word deur die uiterlike, sosiale omgewing nie, maar eerder deur ‘n intimiteit van bewustheid. Hierdie bewustheid en openbaring van bestaan laat ons toe om betekenis te skep. Hierdie skrywers het hul sosiale mantels afgewerp en was bereid om sosiale aanvaarbaarheid op te offer in hul strewe na hierdie doelwit. Hulle het geglo dat elke mens oor ‘n individuele en onvervalste lewe beskik. Die sielkundige en selfs fisieke afsondering is egter nooit maklik nie en het dikwels groot lyding tot gevolg. Met eksistensialisme as raamwerk sal hierdie tesis focus op afsondering, lyding en kreatiwiteit.af
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1713
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherStellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
dc.rights.holderUniversity of Stellenbosch
dc.subjectCreativityen
dc.subjectDissertations -- English studiesen
dc.subjectTheses -- English studiesen
dc.subjectDissertations -- English literatureen
dc.subjectTheses -- English literatureen
dc.subject.lcshExistentialism in literatureen
dc.subject.lcshRomanticismen
dc.subject.lcshSolitude in literatureen
dc.subject.lcshSuffering in literatureen
dc.subject.lcshCreativity in literatureen
dc.subject.nameKafka, Franz, 1883-1924. Prozessen
dc.subject.nameCamus, Albert, 1913-1960. Etrangeren
dc.subject.nameDostoyevsky, Fyodor, 1821-1881. Zapiski iz podpol'iaen
dc.titleSolitude, suffering, and creativity in three existentialist novelsen
dc.typeThesis
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