Existential philosophy of absurdity

Absurdism reflects the dissonance between the human search for meaning and the universe's apparent lack of purpose

Influences of Absurdism

Albert Camus

Camus' concept of the absurd as the conflict between human drive for significance and the unresponsive nature of the universe shaped Absurdism

Counterpoints to Absurdism

Absurdism emerged as a counterpoint to nihilism and existentialism

Personal liberation through Absurdism

Recognizing the absence of inherent meaning can lead to personal liberation according to Absurdism

Avant-garde movements and authors

The play "Ubu Roi" by Alfred Jarry and the Dada and Surrealist movements contributed to the ethos of Absurdism

Influence of Franz Kafka

Kafka's enigmatic works provided a narrative and thematic groundwork for Absurdist literature

Key playwrights of the Theatre of the Absurd

Samuel Beckett and Eugene Ionesco are central to the Theatre of the Absurd with their unconventional storytelling and exploration of existential themes

Narrative structure and events

Absurdist narratives often eschew traditional structure and are populated with aimless events

Treatment of time

Time is frequently treated as fluid and indeterminate in Absurdist literature

Archetypal characters and allegorical figures

Characters in Absurdist literature are often archetypal and serve as allegorical figures

Use of humor

Humor is often employed in Absurdist literature to provide a counterbalance to the gravity of the themes

Bizarre settings

Settings in Absurdist literature are often unconventional or bizarre, emphasizing the theme of absurdity