Existentialism in Tennessee Williams' the glass menagerie

Abstract EN

One of the most important literary critical movements of the 20th century is Existentialism, which is European philosophy, distinguished by its emphasis on human existence.

The existentialist's main focus lies on the individual's freedom and choice.

One of the pioneers of this school is Jane Paul Sartre who asserts that "Man is free ; but this freedom makes him responsible for the conditions he has put himself in as a result of his choice.

So he becomes what he makes of himself ; either he remains a common individual or finds himself a place among the stars." The existentialists' major concern is the 'self' ; they believe that it is essential to understand it "in terms of possibilities, dread and decision." Many existentialists were pessimistic in their general view of the human position and destiny.

They believe that the human beings can never understand why they are created and that the human situation is ambiguous and absurd.

The existentialists have insisted that personal experiences and acting on ones own convictions are essential in reaching truth.

So the understanding of a situation by someone involved in it is superior to that of a detached and objective observer.