Name : Anjali M. Rathod
Enrollment no. : 4069206420220024
Roll no. : 02
Batch : M.A. Sem. 4 (2022-24)
Paper no. : 210A - Research Project Writing: Dissertation Writing
Email Address: rathodanjali20022002ui@gmail.com
Submitted to : Smt. S.B. Gardi, Department of English, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar - 364002
Dissertation Topic : Unveiling the Self: A Comparative Exploration of Existential Crisis and the Search for Meaning in the Works of Paulo Coelho and Hermann Hesse
Chapter 5
Conclusion
5.1 Introduction
Albert Camus' existentialist philosophy posits that the universe is fundamentally absurd and devoid of inherent meaning. This view stems from Camus' personal suffering and witnessing of tragedy in the world around him. However, Camus did not advocate despair or nihilism. Rather, he believed acknowledging life's absurdity was a starting point for individuals to create their own subjective meaning through authentic experiences and choices.
While unsettling, his radical freedom of self-determination provides an impetus for exploring our deepest selves. Philosophical questions about existence, meaning, and the human quest for self-discovery. They represent diverse perspectives, yet contain unifying threads about embracing life's journey as a path to enlightenment and fulfillment.
The philosophy of existentialism grapples with the fundamental questions of human existence: our state of being, choices, freedom, and search for meaning. It emerged prominently in the 20th century, though its roots can be traced to earlier thinkers like Kierkegaard and Nietzsche. The devastating events of the World Wars and the Great Depression galvanized philosophers to deeply examine the purpose and essence of human life in an seemingly indifferent universe.
Jean-Paul Sartre's seminal work Being and Nothingness laid out the core tenets of existential thought. He posited that human beings, through the ability of radical free choice and actions, determine the paths their lives take rather than conforming to any predetermined essence or nature. Individuality and authenticity are prized, with each person bearing full responsibility for crafting meaning out of their subjective experiences of existing.
This freedom to define one's life, however, comes at a psychic cost. The existential perspective holds that life has no inherent or pre-ordained meaning; one is condemned to be free, thrust into an objectively meaningless existence and tasked with creating significance through our choices and lived experiences. This heavy burden of self-determination can produce existential crises.
5.2 The concept of existential crises
The concept of existential crises, defined as periods of intense anxiety triggered by attempts to resolve life's deepest questions, further reinforces the profundity of these quests. Major choices and transitions catalyze such crises when our sense of self feels unsettled or lacking fulfillment. Resolving these internal conflicts through continued inner work and outer experiences is positioned as essential to avoiding depression, unfulfilling relationships, and other negative outcomes that deprive our lives of joy and contribution.
An Existential Crisis arises when the sources providing structure and meaning to one's life become shattered or deeply questioned. It represents a profound reckoning with issues like freedom, identity, death, choice and the ultimate purpose behind living authentically. Experiencing these crises is positioned not as an aberration but rather a natural phase of transition that many confront as they wrestle with life's biggest uncertainties.
While psychologically distressing, thinkers like Sartre believed working through existential anxiety, doubts, and despair forces a clear eyed examination of beliefs. It demands taking full responsibility for choices, shedding inauthentic ways of living, and intentionally pursuing paths aligned with one's values and highest potential for a meaningful existence. So while painful, the existential crisis catalyzes personal growth and individuation.
5.3 Compare of works of Paulo Coelho and Hermann Hesse
In contrast, Paulo Coelho's metaphysical novels like The Alchemist use symbolic storytelling to convey that every person has a destined treasure or calling awaiting discovery. Santiago's transformational odyssey exemplifies how obstacles and trials forge personal growth when we commit to a Quest with courage.
Paulo Coelho's own spiritual evolution further illuminates his belief that joy arises from mindfully pursuing our dreams through mystical connection with the universe's invisible forces. These empowering messages resonate deeply with the human longing for purpose.
Hermann Hesse's classic Siddhartha explores the inward, experiential path to enlightenment about life's greater meaning. The protagonist rejects societal conventions and prescribed belief systems, insisting on finding truth through his own thoughts and lived experiences, even relentless suffering.
Hesse implies profound wisdom arises not from texts or teachings, but first hand immersion in the depths of existence itself. Siddhartha's final realization beside the river metaphorically conveys achieving cosmic unity and acceptance of all that comprises the totality of being.
While differing in their specific beliefs, these perspectives collectively underscore the transformative power available to those who wholly embrace life's journey in all its beauty, pain, and mystery as a vehicle for greater self-discovery and enlightenment about our place in existence. They validate the universal human experience of grappling with existential questions about one's identity, purpose and potential for growth. Even Camus' bleak outlook serves as a call to live life with radical authenticity in pursuit of subjective meaning.
While each work advocates its own distinct path, their shared recognition is that journeying through life fully by continually questioning assumptions, learning from diverse perspectives, and fearlessly grappling with both suffering and beauty is crucial for achieving a deeper understanding of ourselves and our purpose within the greater cosmos. This holistic integration of experiences into wisdom about existence itself is framed as the highest aim and most rewarding fruit of the human condition.
The protagonist Santiago embarks on a mythical journey not just to uncover a physical treasure, but to discover his "Personal Legend" , his meant-to-be life path and spiritual destiny. His series of challenges, encounters, and awakenings reflect the existentialist's journey of continual questioning, confronting anxieties, and making free will choices to either remain stuck or progress towards enlightenment.
Much like existential philosophers urged, Santiago must reject societal conventions, trusting instead his internal longings and the symbolic omens from the universe itself. He learns that realizing one's Personal Legend requires self-responsibility, embracing uncertainty, and persisting despite daunting obstacles all to remain authentic to one's singular life purpose.
By embedding and allegorizing existential principles within Santiago's heroic quest, Coelho illustrates universal lessons about heeding one's inner calling, fearlessly navigating life as an opus of choices, deciphering the world's symbolic language, and achieving self-actualization.
The Alchemist celebrates existentialism's core message: existence itself holds no objective meaning until we take the courageous inward journey to create significance through our actions, relationships and individual will to power.
The novel resonates so profoundly because it encapsulates the grand existential themes every person grapples with at some point identity, freedom, anxieties, responsibility, loneliness, and life purpose. By weaving these heady philosophical concepts into an accessible allegorical story, Coelho captures how our everyday choices and journey of self-discovery are what ultimately creates enduring personal meaning out of an indifferent universe.
The existentialist view that we are condemned to be free is reframed as the ultimate affirmative call to embrace life's grandest adventure: discovering and actualizing one's authentic reason for being.
Paulo Coelho's novels explore profound existential themes and the journey towards self-actualization and finding meaning in life. In The Alchemist, Coelho takes readers on a transformative quest through the protagonist Santiago. The shepherd boy's journey to find a hidden treasure becomes a metaphor for the human quest for purpose, self-discovery, and enlightenment. Santiago's experiences teach valuable lessons about love, facing fears, and understanding that all things are interconnected.
The novel highlights the importance of pursuing one's "Personal Legend" and listening to the spiritual signs and language of the universe. Ultimately, The Alchemist is a powerful odyssey that inspires individuals to embrace their dreams, make meaningful connections, and find their place in the grand tapestry of existence.
Similarly, Coelho's Veronika Decides to Die delves into existential questions about life, death, freedom, and the responsibility of choosing one's path. Veronika's attempted suicide stems from an existential dread and perceived lack of control over her predetermined future. Her struggle to find meaning and purpose resonates with existentialist philosophy's emphasis on individual subjectivity, freedom, and the burden of responsibility that comes with choice.
Veronika's journey through a mental asylum becomes a crucible for transformation, as she grapples with the essence of existence and rediscovers her zest for life. The novel poignantly conveys that even in darkness, there is hope and the possibility to reclaim the vibrancy of existence if one has the courage to embrace it.
Both novels exemplify Coelho's unique ability to weave philosophical insights into captivating narratives that resonate universally. His works serve as beacons of hope, guiding readers towards self-discovery, embracing their dreams, and navigating life's complexities with optimism and purpose.
Coelho's literary legacy transcends mere storytelling, establishing him as a profound thinker and guide for exploring the depths of the human condition and the quest for a meaningful existence.
Paulo Coelho's novels frequently delve into existential themes that reflect the philosophies of prominent thinkers like Viktor Frankl, who emphasized the human quest for meaning and self-actualization. Coelho's protagonists embark on profound journeys of self-discovery, grappling with existential questions about life's purpose, individual freedom, and the responsibility of shaping one's authentic path.
In The Alchemist, the shepherd boy Santiago undertakes a transformative odyssey that explores concepts central to existentialism, such as pursuing one's "Personal Legend", understanding the interconnectedness of all things, and ultimately finding meaning within himself. This aligns with existentialist thought, which stresses the individual's subjective experiences and the need to confront the complexities of the human condition to achieve self-realization.
Similarly, Veronika Decides to Die portrays Veronika's struggle with existential dread, her perceived lack of control over a predetermined future, and her subsequent journey towards embracing life's fleeting yet precious nature. Her experiences resonate with existentialist principles like individual freedom, the burden of responsibility that comes with choice, and the need to create personal meaning despite life's apparent absurdities.
Coelho's protagonists, much like the central figure Siddhartha in Hermann Hesse's novella, reject prescribed paths and dogma in favor of an intensely personal, experiential quest for enlightenment. Their journeys underscore the existentialist belief that true self-actualization cannot be imparted through instruction alone but must be an intrinsic, ineffable odyssey guided by one's inner voice and willingness to embrace transformative lived experiences.
Throughout his works, Coelho echoes Frankl's assertion that the primary human quest is not solely one of pleasure or power, but a ceaseless search for meaning, a fundamental endeavour that compels each individual to uncover the unique significance that imbues their existence with purpose.
By having his characters confront profound existential questions, make deliberate choices, and take responsibility for shaping their lives, Coelho effectively captures the essence of existentialist thought and its emphasis on authentic self-determination. His exploration of existential themes invites readers to embark on their own odysseys of self-discovery, challenging them to embrace the complexities of existence, find meaning amidst life's currents, and distill from their unique perspectives the elixir of self-realization.
Hesse's novel Siddhartha is a profound exploration of existentialist philosophy through the protagonist's spiritual journey of self-discovery. The novel aligns with core existentialist principles such as the centrality of individual choice, the need to define one's own authentic identity, and the responsibility to create meaning in an indifferent universe.
Siddhartha rejects the prescribed paths set before him, from his privileged Brahmin upbringing to the teachings of ascetic groups and even the enlightened Buddha himself. Instead, he insists on finding truth and enlightenment through his own experiences and intense self-examination. Siddhartha's quest is driven by burning existential questions about his true nature, the essence of his being, and his place in the world.
In making difficult choices like leaving his home, experimenting with sensual pleasures after renouncing them, and ultimately rediscovering himself by listening to the wisdom of the river, Siddhartha fully embraces the existential responsibility of authoring his own identity and meaning. His journey exemplifies the existentialist belief that freedom and personal choices, not predetermined dogmas, are the path to authentic selfhood.
Through vivid symbolism like the river representing life's passage, Hesse underscores that enlightenment cannot be taught, but must be realized individually through cultivating a profound connection to the eternal rhythms of existence. Siddhartha's final role as a ferryman guiding others across the river signifies that he has indeed achieved enlightenment by charting his own existential course.
Siddhartha emerges as a quintessential existential hero one who bravely confronts the ambiguities of the human condition, embraces his personal freedom and accountability, and through a lifetime of introspection and open exploration, ultimately discovers his own meaning and place within the metaphysical oneness of the universe.
Hesse's masterpiece reminds us that true enlightenment arises not from adhering to doctrine, but from the authentically lived journey of subjective experience and radical self-determination. Hesse's Siddhartha is a profound exploration of the individual's quest for authentic selfhood and the pivotal role of personal experience in achieving self-realization.
Throughout the novel, the protagonist Siddhartha rejects prescribed paths and dogmas, insisting on finding truth through his own subjective journey. Siddhartha's journey begins with him asserting his individuality by denying the authority of his father and Brahmin traditions. This reflects Hesse's own rebellion against the patriarchal control he experienced in his devoutly religious upbringing.
Siddhartha then questions the Samanas' austere practices of denying human instincts, realizing true self-knowledge cannot come from mere suppression. In a bold move, Siddhartha declines to become a follower of the Buddha himself, embodying Hesse's portrayal of the ideal individualistic hero who thinks critically rather than conforming to any single teacher. This exemplifies existentialist principles of authentic self-determination over herd mentality.
Hesse's concept of Eigensinn a strong individual self-will akin to Nietzsche's Übermensch fuels Siddhartha's awakening to the realization that he must solve the riddle of existence through his own experiences in this lifetime, not by adhering to abstract notions prescribed by traditions.
While criticized for his limited perspective on the female self, Hesse seems to suggest through Kamala that the feminine can serve a mirror function for the male protagonist's process of individuation and becoming a fully realized, integrated being.
Siddhartha's unrelenting quest leads him to the brink of self-annihilation, a painful yet profound juncture where he must either surrender his distinctiveness or shed all illusions to expand into his authentic self. Hesse's message is that suffering is inescapable on the journey of self-discovery, but by valiantly facing it, one can transcend suffering to realize their true nature.
Siddhartha emerges as an archetypal seeker who bravely pursues his individuality at all costs, even if it means renouncing societal roles, questioning religious icons, or risking spiritual crisis. Hesse holds up Siddhartha's existential journey as an inspirational call for each individual to forge their own path to self-realization through the crucible of first-hand experiences and the ultimate Inward Journey of introspection. Hence, through Siddhartha’s personal journey of seeking his self and realizing his potential, Hesse points out that perfection in the world comes only when each individual establishes harmony with his own self.
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