Volume-II, Special Issue, February 2026
Novel Insights A Peer-Reviewed Quarterly Multidisciplinary Research Journal |
Volume-II, Special Issue, February 2026 |
From Literature to Philosophy: Exploring Sartre and the Path of Existentialism Neelanjana Chowdhury, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Philosophy, Samsi College, Samsi, Malda, West Bengal, India Email: mailboxtonc@gmail.com |
Received: 01.01.2026 | Accepted: 20.02.2026 | Published Online: 28.02.2026 |
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Abstract | ||
A review of history shows that whenever a crisis arises in human society, literature becomes the primary weapon to overcome it. This very literature teaches people how to fight against the crisis and how to live anew. Such literature does not contain abstract ideas, but rather the essence of human life. Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–1980) was a French philosopher, playwright, novelist, and critic, widely regarded as one of the leading figures of 20th-century existentialism. During the Second World War, when humanity had nearly forgotten its own existence, literature became a means to reanalyze and reconsider the past. Among such literary works, Sartre’s writings were particularly significant, as they opened up a new world of philosophical thought. This article offers a clear look at how Sartre’s novels, plays, and stories, such as Nausea (1938), No Exit (1944), and The Flies (1943), played a central role in building his ideas about freedom, choice, and the meaninglessness of life. Rather than simply retelling his philosophy, Sartre’s creative works acted as a space where he explored and shaped the core of existentialism: the belief that we exist first and define ourselves through our actions. By examining these books, this study shows how storytelling helped Sartre craft a philosophy that still resonates today. This paper argues that Sartre’s books were more than examples—they were tools for building his philosophy. Drawing from earlier writers like Dostoevsky, he used fiction to blend their insights with his own, creating something new. Through clear analysis, we’ll see how his stories turned abstract thoughts into vivid experiences, from Roquentin’s dread to Orestes’ resolve. This study not only sheds light on Sartre’s process but also suggests that books can do more than tell tales—they can spark big ideas. It invites readers to consider how Sartre’s blend of story and thought offers a fresh way to understand life’s challenges, making existentialism less a puzzle and more a practical lens for today. Keywords: Existentialism, Essence, Freedom, Choice, Bad faith, Nausea, No Exit, The Files. | ||