A Study of Gabriel Marcel’s Views of Existentialism in Anita Desai’s –Where Shall We Go This Summer?

Abstract

A twentieth century philosophy that emerged as an answer to so many questions of the modern world of anxiety, Existentialism is by itself a humanism which several existentialists emphasis on. The very concept of Existentialism is a vast area which in the current scenario paves way for so many unanswered queries based on psychology of human existence. Existentialism emphasizes on freedom and choice of living. Gabriel Marcel (1889–1973) was a French philosopher, playwright, drama critic, and musician. He is associated with many of the well-known philosophers of his day. Marcel's philosophical inheritance includes lectures, journal entries and dramatic works in addition to more conventional philosophical expression in essays. Marcel's philosophical method was unique, although it bears some similarity to both existentialism and phenomenology broadly construed. He focused on the modern individual's struggle in a technologically dehumanizing the social order. This research is based on the traces of Marcel’s ideas in Anita Desai’s novel - Where Shall We Go This Summer?