Existentialism is a philosophy concerned with finding self and the meaning of life through free will, choice,
and personal responsibility. The belief is that people are searching to find out who and what they are
throughout life as they make choices based on their experiences, beliefs, and outlook; and personal choices
become significant without the necessity of an objective form of truth. An existentialist believes that a
person should be forced to choose and be responsible without the control of laws, rules, or traditions.
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Human free will
Human nature is chosen through life choices
A person is best when struggling against their individual nature, fighting for life
Decisions are not without stress and consequences
There are things that are not rational
Personal responsibility and discipline are crucial
Society is unnatural and its traditional religious and secular rules are arbitrary
Worldly desire is futile
allboutphilosophy.org
Discuss how both Albert Camus’ The Guest and Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment can be viewed
as existentialist texts. Avoid discussing the characters themselves as existentialists; rather, analyze each
story through a “lens” or perspective of existentialist philosophy. State how an existentialist view provides
overall significance for both works.
To give your ideas focus and depth, explore the connection between the two stories through one specific
element/facet of existentialism.
Specific Instructions:
1) Read Camus’ The Guest considering tenets of existentialism and parallels to Crime and Punishment
based on those tenets.
2) Make a list of existential qualities each work embodies (you may use your existentialism
worksheet). Use a separate list for each text.
3) Narrow your observations to a particular facet of existentialism that each story exemplifies, e.g., a
person is best when enduring great suffering or fighting for life. Write the precept of existentialism
you’ll focus on in the space below.
4) Write a thesis statement that posits your idea about how together the works illuminate the tenet of
existentialist philosophy you stated for number three.
5) Using your thesis, write a complete introduction to an expository essay.
6) Explore one specific parallel of particular interest based on your thesis. Use at least one short quote
from each work to support your argument. (See this as a body paragraph that aligns with your
introduction.) ***Use the “Transitions” hand-out to help you connect your ideas cohesively!!!***