This thesis uses existential-phenomenological theory to analyze two novels by William Faulkner: As I Lay Dying and The Sound and the Fury. The critical texts applied are Jean-Paul Sartre's Being and Nothingness and Albert Camus' The Myth of Sisyphus. The idea of existential authenticity, absurdity, and closeness to God are the major concepts applied to Faulkner's work. The first chapter argues that the existential ideal of authenticity is displayed in the character Darl from As I Lay Dying. The second chapter argues that As I Lay Dying showcases man's endurance in an absurd, ambiguous, humiliating world; yet, man is still capable of heroism in a Sisyphean sense as the character Cash exemplifies. The third chapter argues that Benjy Compson from The Sound and the Fury phenomenologically represents Faulkner's character closest to Sartre's concept of God—a synthetic Being-In-Itself-Being-For-Itself contradiction while Quentin Compson represents the character who strives to be close to God. / A Thesis Submitted to the Department of English in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts. / Summer Semester, 2009. / May 18, 2009. / As I Lay Dying, Faulkner, Compson Bundren, Quentin, Cash, Darl, Benjy, Authenticity, Being-for-Itself, Being-in-Itself, Camus, Sartre, Existential, The Sound and the Fury, absurd, God, Sisyphus / Includes bibliographical references. / Diane Roberts, Professor Directing Thesis; Peter Dalton, Committee Member; Meegan Kennedy Hanson, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_180524 |
| Contributors | Moore, Aaron (authoraut), Roberts, Diane (professor directing thesis), Dalton, Peter (committee member), Hanson, Meegan Kennedy (committee member), Department of English (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
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