Bilge Nihal Zileli Alkim

Camus and Beckett on Human Condition: an Exploration of the Absurdity of Human Condition Portrayed by the Two Novelists Bilge Nihal Zileli Alkim

This book carries out both a technical and a thematic analysis of the novels by Albert Camus, L¿Etranger, La Peste, and La Chute, and Samuel Beckett, Molloy, Malone Dies, and The Unnamable. In the technical analysis of the novels, the study explores the differences in characterization and narrative technique. It argues that the differences in these two issues mainly emerge from the difference in the two authors¿ views of art. In the thematic analysis, on the other hand, the study focuses on the recurring themes in the two authors¿ novels. It argues that Camus and Beckett explore similar themes in their novels because both writers belong to the absurd tradition. In other words, although their notions of art are different, their views of the human condition are quite similar, which is reflected in the common themes they explore in their novels. The book should be especially useful to students of literature as well as academicians.