Existentialism

“Existential texts are all style and no substance.” To what extent do the texts you have studied support this statement' Existential texts raise undefined questions of our existence through the absurdity of their language. What is represented in these texts merely exposes the surface of their existential ideas. Pablo Nerudo’s ‘Walking Around’ conveys existential ideas which the audience finds it hard to completely comprehend due to the persona’s disconnection and alienation to what is real. ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ by T.S. Eliot demonstrates the persona’s fragmented thoughts on society, conveying the theme of alienation, questioning the meaning of life. Hence, the substance of existential texts allows the reader to question their existence and is formed by the language and techniques used within. The substance of T.S. Eliot’s ‘Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ challenges the notions of our existence. Prufrock is haunted by the “overwhelming question” of existence, and what it real. Prufrock is trapped in a world where he cannot escape the angst in his mind, describing it as “the yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-pane”. T.S. Eliot uses images of decay to portray Prufrock’s entrapment. Prufrock then demonstrates his fragmentation to the world by calling himself a “pair of rugged claws, scuttling across the floors of silent seas”. T.S Eliot uses abstract imagery and the synecdoche of “claws” rather that a crab which suggests a sense of alienation. Prufrock seems to lack a connection to the real world, and through his insecurity, is unable to achieve what he wants even in his fantasy, “I do not think that they will sing to me.” This suggests the isolation of this character. Additionally, Prufrock seems to suffer delusions of grandeur when he states that “I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be” while at the same time it is suggested that he suffers from a deflated sense of his own significance. Prufrock also questions, “Do I dare disturb the universe'” conveying the recurring question on existence and according to David Cooper, “If...reason and objective are dead, man is abandoned in an absurd and alienated world.” This raises the question: What are our notions of existence' Pablo Nerudo’s ‘Walking Around’, conveys its substance as the impending nature of life and death. Pablo Nerudo uses pessimism and violent imagery to portray that he doesn’t value, nor care about the world in which we live. His ability to value the world is diminished, as he wants “nothing but the repose either of stones or of wool,” portraying his alienation to humanity and society, using contrast. The text suggest that he cannot live in harmony with the man-made world, as he states that he wants to see “no more establishments, no more gardens, nor merchandise, nor glasses, nor elevators”. The repetition assists to convey his alienation to both the natural and urban environments. Nerudo’s ‘jail-face’ conveys his character imprisonment, and the idea of urban entrapment. Because of his lack of ability to find what his purpose in life is, he is unable to appreciate the world. He describes himself as “a felt swan navigating on a water of origin and ash”. The contrast of the natural, being the beautiful creature, versus the unnatural, the felt, conveys his search for meaning. Although he asks a lot of questions, he cannot confront the real world, acting as a “root in the dark, hesitating, stretched out, shivering with dreams”. This violent imagery implies that he is metaphorically a root, soaking up all the angst and pain of the world. Eventually we see that he is a non-judgemental wanderer, as he “stride[s] along with calm”, giving up on the question of existence, “It happens that I am tired of being a man.” This conveys that the substance is teaching us to question our own existence. Existential texts allow the reader to understand these texts on a deeper level, and leave the reader with pending questions: What is the meaning of life' What are our notions of existence' Both ‘Walking Around’ and ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’, demonstrate that the style they are written in help to unravel the substance within.