Existence In The Absurd World

Ha Jin is a prominent contemporary Chinese American writer. Mainly set inChina, many of his works deal with the existential predicament of concreteindividuals. Ha Jin‘s exploration of human existence in his works show somesimilarities with themes of existentialism. Existentialism reveals the absurdity inhuman existence, claiming that in an irrational, meaningless world, humans‘endeavorto pursue what they desire and to endow their life with meaning is bound to meet withnumerous obstacles. Humans will inevitably experience loneliness, anxiety anddespair in their predicament. Meanwhile, existentialism also points out an outlet forpeople struggling in absurdity, that is, to exert their freedom of choice to pursue anauthentic existence.This thesis takes Ha Jin‘s two novels In the Pond and Waiting as the studyobjects. Based on Sartre‘s and Camus‘s relevant existential thoughts, this thesis is toexplore the similar existential themes embodied in these two novels. The main bodyof this thesis consists of three parts. The first part presents the absurdity theindividuals encounter in the world. The second part discloses the moods experiencedby the protagonists in the absurd world, including loneliness, anxiety and despair. Thethird part analyzes the two modes of existence the two protagonists exemplify in thenovel: authentic existence and inauthentic existence. A conclusion is reached at theend of the thesis that in his works Ha Jin shows his concerns with humanity and encourages humans to pursue an authentic existence in absurdity.