- Albert Camus – The Stranger
- Samuel Beckett – Waiting for Godot
- Franz Kafka – The Metamorphosis
- Virginia Woolf – To the Lighthouse
- Herman Hesse – Siddhartha
- Fyodor Dostoevsky – Notes from Underground
- Poetry and the Meaning of Life
- The Personal Impact of Existential Literature
- Let’s Talk
- Let’s Learn Vocabulary in Context
What does it mean to exist? It’s a question philosophers, writers, and dreamers have wrestled with for centuries. While philosophy offers arguments and logic, literature provides a more personal lens—characters, plots, and emotions that help us grapple with the same questions. Through storytelling, writers explore themes like identity, freedom, fate, and purpose, creating worlds that mirror our inner struggles. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most influential literary works that delve into the meaning of existence, offering glimpses of insight and plenty of space for interpretation.
Albert Camus – The Stranger
Camus’s novel The Stranger is a cornerstone of existential literature. It tells the story of Meursault, a man disconnected from societal norms, whose indifferent attitude toward life becomes the central tension of the novel. The book explores the absurdity of existence—the idea that life has no inherent meaning and that humans must create their own purpose. Camus invites readers to reflect on how we respond to life’s randomness and whether we can find peace in accepting the absurd.
Samuel Beckett – Waiting for Godot
In Waiting for Godot, two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, wait endlessly for someone named Godot, who never arrives. The play is a masterclass in exploring the futility of waiting for meaning or purpose. Beckett’s characters grapple with boredom, confusion, and hopelessness, embodying the idea that life’s meaning is often elusive. It’s a reminder that sometimes, all we have is the act of waiting—and how we choose to wait becomes the story.
Franz Kafka – The Metamorphosis
Kafka’s novella The Metamorphosis begins with one of the most bizarre openings in literature: Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect. As Gregor struggles with his new reality, the story explores themes of alienation, identity, and the absurdity of existence. Kafka uses surrealism to force readers into uncomfortable questions—how do we find meaning in a life that feels strange or out of our control?
Virginia Woolf – To the Lighthouse
Woolf’s To the Lighthouse isn’t just about a family vacation; it’s a meditation on time, memory, and the search for meaning. Through stream-of-consciousness narration, Woolf captures the fleeting nature of human experience. Characters reflect on their desires, regrets, and relationships, reminding us that the meaning of life often lies not in grand moments but in the quiet, everyday interactions that shape who we are.
Herman Hesse – Siddhartha
Hesse’s Siddhartha follows the spiritual journey of a young man searching for enlightenment. The novel explores themes of self-discovery, inner peace, and the idea that meaning is not found through external achievements but through personal experience. Siddhartha’s journey teaches us that life’s purpose isn’t something we can borrow from others—it’s something we must find within ourselves.
Fyodor Dostoevsky – Notes from Underground
Dostoevsky’s Notes from Underground is a deep dive into the psyche of a man grappling with his own existence. The narrator, often referred to as the “Underground Man,” questions everything—society, morality, and even his own motivations. His internal monologue reveals the tension between freedom and responsibility, showing how the search for meaning can lead us into uncomfortable, even irrational, territory.
Poetry and the Meaning of Life
Beyond novels and plays, poetry has long been a medium for exploring existence. Think of Emily Dickinson’s reflections on death and eternity or T.S. Eliot’s exploration of time in The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. Poets distill complex emotions into brief, powerful moments, allowing readers to glimpse the essence of life’s mysteries. In just a few lines, poetry can capture the wonder, fear, and beauty of existence in ways that resonate deeply.
The Personal Impact of Existential Literature
What makes these literary works so powerful is that they don’t offer easy answers. Instead, they invite readers into the same struggle the characters face, asking us to reflect on our own lives. Have you ever read a book or poem that made you stop and think, “What does all this really mean?” That’s the magic of existential literature—it doesn’t just entertain; it engages.
These works remind us that searching for meaning is a shared human experience. Whether we find purpose in relationships, work, art, or simply in the act of living itself, the journey matters as much as the destination. And perhaps that’s the ultimate takeaway—meaning isn’t always something we discover; it’s something we create, moment by moment, through the choices we make and the stories we tell ourselves.
Literary works that explore the meaning of existence challenge us to think beyond the surface. They invite us to confront uncertainty, embrace the absurd, and find beauty in the struggle. Whether through the alienation of Kafka’s characters, the quiet reflections of Woolf’s narrators, or the spiritual journey of Hesse’s Siddhartha, these stories offer insights into life’s biggest questions—without ever pretending to have all the answers. In the end, literature teaches us that meaning isn’t something waiting to be found; it’s something we must create for ourselves.
Let’s Talk
It’s fascinating how literature tackles the meaning of existence, isn’t it? What really strikes me is how these stories don’t give us neat answers—they just drop us into the middle of a character’s life and let us feel their confusion, frustration, or even peace. And, honestly, isn’t that a lot like real life? There’s no roadmap, no final exam with the meaning of existence neatly written out at the end. We stumble through, just like Meursault in The Stranger or the characters waiting endlessly for Godot.
Have you ever had one of those moments when life feels so random, and you catch yourself thinking, “What’s the point of this?” Maybe it’s during a quiet walk home, or when your alarm goes off way too early, and you wonder why we all agreed to this whole workday thing in the first place. That’s the space where existential literature lives—in those cracks between routine and uncertainty, where you realize that life’s meaning might not come prepackaged. You have to build it yourself, one moment at a time.
What I love about these literary works is how they give us permission to sit with uncomfortable questions without rushing to find answers. Take Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. Gregor wakes up one morning as a giant insect, and no one stops to ask why. They just deal with it. It’s absurd, right? But then you think—how often do we encounter weird, unexpected things in life and just go with them because, well, what else can we do? Maybe Kafka’s story is really a reminder that the search for meaning isn’t about getting answers—it’s about figuring out how to respond when things don’t make sense.
And let’s talk about Waiting for Godot. Beckett’s characters wait and wait for something—or someone—that never shows up. It’s almost funny, in a tragic way, because how often do we do the same thing? Waiting for the perfect job, the perfect relationship, or the “right” moment to make a change. But what if, like Vladimir and Estragon, we’re waiting for something that’s never coming? What would happen if we stopped waiting and just embraced the moment we’re in, however imperfect it is?
That’s where Woolf’s To the Lighthouse comes in. Her characters remind us that meaning often hides in the little things—in conversations, memories, and fleeting moments that we barely notice at the time. It’s a subtle reminder that life isn’t always about grand events or big revelations. Sometimes, it’s in the way light falls through a window or the sound of someone’s laughter. Have you ever caught yourself feeling unexpectedly content in a quiet moment, and thought, “This is it—this is what it’s all about”? That’s Woolf’s world right there.
What’s amazing is how these stories sneak into our own experiences. After reading Siddhartha, you can’t help but think about your own search for meaning. It makes you wonder—how much of what we chase in life really matters? Are we trying to find something outside of ourselves that’s already within us? It’s a humbling thought, right? That maybe the answers we’re looking for have been inside us all along, waiting for the noise to die down so we can hear them.
And then there’s Notes from Underground. Talk about a character who dives deep into his own mind. He’s messy, irrational, and frustrating—but aren’t we all, sometimes? The Underground Man makes you realize that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. In fact, trying to make sense of everything might not even be the point. Maybe the point is just to keep going, to keep asking questions, even if we never get the answers we expect.
In the end, I think what makes these literary works so powerful is that they reflect the journey we’re all on. Whether you find meaning in relationships, work, nature, or simply in the act of living, these stories remind us that the search for meaning is a deeply human experience. And it’s okay if the answers aren’t always clear. After all, maybe the meaning of life isn’t something we find—it’s something we create along the way, in the little moments we choose to embrace. So, what do you think? What stories have made you pause and reflect on your own life? And how do you make sense of those in-between moments—the ones where nothing much happens, but somehow, they feel important anyway?
Let’s Learn Vocabulary in Context
Let’s take a look at some of the key words and phrases that popped up in our discussion about literary works and the meaning of existence, and see how they fit into everyday life. First up is “existence.” It’s not just a big philosophical concept—it’s the simple fact of being alive. In daily life, we might say something like, “What’s the point of all this?” when we’re feeling overwhelmed, and that’s us casually reflecting on existence, whether we realize it or not.
Then there’s “absurd.” In existential literature, the absurd refers to the disconnect between our search for meaning and the randomness of life. But we use the word all the time. Ever called a situation “absurd” because it just didn’t make sense? That’s everyday existentialism in action—trying to make sense of the senseless.
“Alienation” is another important word. It’s the feeling of being disconnected or isolated from the world around you, like Gregor in The Metamorphosis. In real life, we all experience moments of alienation, whether it’s feeling out of place in a new environment or struggling to connect with people around us. Recognizing it is the first step toward reconnecting.
Let’s talk about “meaning.” Meaning is one of those words we throw around a lot. We talk about finding meaning in our work, relationships, or hobbies. But, as these literary works show, meaning isn’t always obvious—it’s something we create. What gives meaning to your everyday experiences?
“Freedom” is a big theme in existential literature, and it’s just as relevant in real life. The kind of freedom we’re talking about isn’t just about having choices—it’s about taking responsibility for those choices. Ever had one of those moments where you realized that the only thing holding you back is your own fear? That’s the challenge of freedom—scary but empowering.
Next, we have “identity.” In literature, characters often struggle with questions of identity—who they are and who they want to become. And let’s be honest, isn’t that something we all wrestle with at some point? Whether it’s through work, friendships, or personal growth, figuring out who we are is a lifelong journey.
“Reflection” is another word that stands out. It means taking time to think deeply about yourself, your actions, or the world around you. You don’t need a special moment for reflection—it can happen in the shower, on a walk, or even while washing dishes. The point is to give yourself that mental space.
Let’s not forget “waiting.” In Waiting for Godot, waiting becomes a metaphor for life itself. And let’s face it, we spend a lot of time waiting—for the weekend, for things to get better, or for the “right moment” to do something. The question is, what do we do while we wait? How do we make the waiting worthwhile?
“Connection” is essential in both literature and life. Whether it’s a meaningful conversation or a shared experience, connection helps us feel grounded. It’s the antidote to alienation and a reminder that we’re not alone, even when life feels overwhelming.
Finally, there’s “choice.” Every story about existence involves choices—big or small—that shape the characters’ journeys. And isn’t life just a series of choices? From the food we eat to the people we surround ourselves with, our choices reflect who we are and what we value.
Here are a couple of questions to think about: How do you make sense of waiting when it feels like nothing is happening? And when was the last time a small, everyday moment gave you a surprising sense of meaning?
0 Comments