Exploring Existentialism and Marxism in Literature

In literature, existentialism often talks about ideas like personal freedom, making choices, and taking responsibility. It shows the belief that life can seem random or absurd. On the other hand, Marxism focuses on social justice and how people work together for the greater good. These two ideas can sometimes clash.

Main Areas of Conflict:

1. Individualism vs. Collectivism:

   • Existentialists, like Jean-Paul Sartre, emphasize what one person makes of their life. They think each person is responsible for finding their own meaning.
   • Meanwhile, Marxists point out the importance of society and how different groups struggle for fairness and equality.

2. Freedom and Responsibility:

   • Existentialists believe in the importance of personal freedom and the choices we make.
   • In contrast, Marxists argue that real freedom doesn’t happen unless we fix economic problems and ensure everyone has equal opportunities.

Examples:

• In Albert Camus's book "The Stranger," the main character experiences a sense of personal freedom. However, Marxists might criticize this story for not considering social issues that would affect people’s lives.

Even with these differences, some people believe that existentialism can help us understand how individuals can act within a group. This suggests that instead of being totally opposite, these ideas may actually work together in some ways.