Existentialism 2
Existentialism 2Existentialism is an effort to describe rational behaviors and thoughts in an irrational universe. Three stories that show this relationship to existentialism are "The Metamorphosis," "The Hunger Artist," and "The Trial." Each of these three stories can be categorized as existentialism. Some of the primary features of these writings and existentialism are that the main character is emotionless, while everyone else in the stories acts as though they were normal to the reader. These stories also share a relationship of repeated images.
"The Hunger Artist" depicts a character that starves himself for attention. Only in the beginning does he do this though. Toward the end of the story however, the fasting by the artist is done solely for himself. When confronted about why he was doing such, the artist says that he hasn't found any food that is enjoyable. His fasting is done then just because he can't find anything good to eat, but also because he was finally given the opportunity to test his limits of how long he can go without eating. Throughout the entire story the artist is kept inside a cage, and toward the ending of the story, he is treated less and less like a human being.
Out of all three of these stories, the hunger artist is the most in control of his life and what he is doing. In "The Trial" the court and its officials are dragging Joseph K. about. In "The Metamorphosis" Gregor tries to take control of his life and do something about his...
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