1. Existentialism in As I Lay Dying
By: Maddie Wishart and Cassidy Farach

2. What is Existentialism?
“Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes individual existence, freedom and choice. It is the view that humans define
their own meaning in life, and try to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe. It focuses on the question of human existence, and the feeling that there is no purpose or explanation at the core of existence. It holds that, as there is no God or any other transcendent force, the only way to counter this nothingness (and hence to find meaning in life) is by embracing existence.”
Focuses on personal freedom, action, and choice
Pits individuals against absurd condition of humanity (living life while suffering, and ending it with dying)
Sense of disorientation or confusion in otherwise meaningless world
Believe people are not rational in nature, but everything is influenced by subjection

3. Some Existential Terms
“Existence exceeds presence” - You are an individual that has freedom and thought; can think beyond yourself
Absurd - There is no meaning in the world other than what we say has meaning
Facticity - Human beings are “not being” as they exist in past, present, and future
Authenticity - creating and living in accordance with one’s self
The Other and the Look - The “Other” refers to perceiving other people in the same world, and the “Look” is how everyone perceives the world differently
Angst - Emotional turmoil before Nothing; response to human freedom and restriction

4. Theme of Existentialism
Questions of characters as they contemplate or bemoan hardships enhances idea of humans versus cosmic absurdity
Dewey Dell - If only Lafe hadn’t left her; “It’s because I’m alone.” (58)
Vardamam - Infantile understanding of death; “My mother is a fish.” (84)

5. Existentialism in Stream of Consciousness
Stream of consciousness style allows for changes in perception of single reality
Ex. Cash breaking his leg - every character reacts differently to the same event, demonstrating free thought and actions
Characters act on different perceptions, creating emotional and spiritual isolation that parallels geographical isolation

6. Addie
Addie - Personification of struggles and cosmic absurdity; creates all problems in text by dying
Only comes to existence in death; death is the end, but for Addie is the beginning (175) (Authenticity)
“And when I looked to them day after day . . .” (169)
Lived life as if she were dead; never found fulfillment
“I knew that living was terrible . . .” (171)
Criticized Cora for her “need for words” (the Absurd)
“I knew that that word was like the others: just a shape to fill a lack” (172)
“It doesn’t matter what they call them.” (173)

7. Cash
Sees greatest value in meticulous, borderline obsessive, construction; “I made it on the bevel.” (82)
Often acts as voice of reason and selflessness; is thus ignored; “It wont balance.” (96)
Represents order and discipline as well as connection to greater system (family, society) which foils existential characters
Connection to greater system seen in various characters
(specifically religion/faith with Anse, Whitfield, and Cora) leads to hypocrisy and dishonesty
After spiritual aspect of journey, has come to see pliancy of existence
“I aint so sho who’s got ere a right to say when a man is crazy and when he aint” (233)

8. Darl
Darl - openly contemplates physical existence; “In a strange room you must empty yourself for sleep” (80) (Facticity)
“I cannot love my mother because I have no mother.” (95) (Angst)
Tries to do away with her - free thought and action
Long descriptions of environment depict his perception of the world as opposed to someone else’s (The Other and the Look)
Loss of self-determination is part of self-actualization
“Darl has gone to Jackson” (253)

9. Works Cited Burnham, Douglas, and George Papandreopoulos.
"Existentialism." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, n.d. Web. 09 Apr.
2015.
"Existentialism." All About Philosophy. All About
Philosophy, n.d. Web. 09 Apr.2015.
Mastin, Luke. "Existentialism." The Basics of Philosophy.
N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr