Basma Bishay

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to provide a critical reading of Albert Camus’s novels, The Stranger and The Plague, which is consistent with his reflections on the theory of the absurd. Employing this theory as the philosophical foundation for my writing, I set out to scrutinize Camus’s protagonists in terms of their being-in-this-world, particularly in view of the author’s understanding of rebellion. Although Camus’s theory of the absurd seems to cancel out the meaning and value of personal effort, the two novels under examination suggest that a rebellious response to life’s inherent absurdity is not only possible but is a credible response to the human condition. In my study of Camus’s rebellious protagonists, therefore, I also examine the question of ethics in both its personal and social implications.

Department

English & Comparative Literature Department

Degree Name

MA in English & Comparative Literature

Graduation Date

6-1-2018

Submission Date

May 2018

First Advisor

Melaney, William

Committee Member 1

Shoukri, Doris

Committee Member 2

Abdel Nasser, Tahia

Extent

65 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

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