Existentialism is a way of thinking about life that focuses on each person’s own existence, freedom, and choices.

It started in the 20th century and was shaped by big thinkers like Kierkegaard and Nietzsche. They asked important questions about our values and what it means to be human.

In stories and books, existentialism shows up in ideas like feeling out of place, facing the strange parts of life, and searching for meaning. Here are some classic examples:

• Sartre's "Nausea": This book looks at feelings of deep anxiety and self-awareness.
• Camus' "The Stranger": This story shows how strange life can be by illustrating how the main character feels disconnected from society and its rules.

Existentialist literature encourages readers to think about the uncertainties of life and the choices they make every day.