Absurdism

Question 1

Features of absurdism (7)

Answer 1

Man is disorientated
World is indifferent towards man
Man tries routine to give meaning to his life
Sense of isolation
Incongruous images
Illogical, conflictless and plotless
Lack of communication

Question 2

Man is disorientated

Answer 2

Characters seem dazed, confused and puzzled

Question 3

The world is indifferent towards man

Answer 3

Characters are afraid of what might happen to them.

Question 4

Man tries routine to give meaning to his life

Answer 4

Characters repeat the same action; seeking comfort in the gesture being duplicated.

Question 5

Sense of isolation

Answer 5

Characters seem cut off from society and feel abandoned.

Question 6

Incongruous images

Answer 6

There is no obvious reason why certain images or symbols have been included.

Question 7

Illogical, conflictless and plotless

Answer 7

Events seem random. There is no single ‘climax’ of the performance. There is no definite beginning or end.

Question 8

Lack of communication

Answer 8

Characters speak, but what they say can sound meaningless and nonsensical.
(a) Characters speak ot avoid silence. Silence scares them as it forces them to become introspective.
(b) New words (neologisms) are created to show the desperation of characters ot speak ot each other.
(c) Characters often misunderstand each other’s language.
(d) Significant pauses show the isolation of words.
(e) Characters mock the significance of literary language. Metaphors are mixed, and slang and clichés are used.
(f) Characters employ STICHOMYTHIA (a quick exchange of words). They converse by exchanging short, single lines. Stichomythia can be used for comic effect.
(g) A repetitive style of dialogue is used to emphasize the cyclic nature of life.
(h) Occasional forceful speeches focus attention on the human condition.

Question 9

Where and when did the absurdism movement emerge?

Answer 9

In France after the horrors of WWII