An Analysis Of The Human Stain From The Perspective Of Existentialism

The Human Stain, published in2000, is the last novel among American trilogywritten by Philip Roth. Compared with the first two novels, it is more integral. And itexplores human nature clearer. The story is set in the scandal of Lewinsky and Clinton. Itreflects people’s psychological characteristics in the history process from Mccarthy whiteterror to Vietnam War and Clinton scandal.The writer relates personal destiny with history and displays a vivid picture ofsurvival condition of people from different classes in America. Although people’ssurvival conditions are different, they encountered with the same tragic situation. ThoughColeman is a black man, the writer didn’t stop at complaint toward racial discrimination.Coleman, the leading role in the novel, quit the job not because of identity exposure.The thesis mainly uses existential theory hold by Sartre and Camus to analyze thenovel. Existential theory holds that the world is absurd. However, people has freedom tochoose in the absurd world. Freedom is not absolute because it is restricted by objectiveenvironment. Existentialism always believes that people have subjective initiative. Theirown choices play an important role.The thesis will dissertate in the following parts.The introduction part will introduce Philip Roth’s life and major works. Scholars inAmerica and China mainly analyze The Human Stain from the following themes, whichinclude the crisis of identity, desire and American dream. The writing skill of Roth wasalso referred to. Some scholars use the following theories, which include humanism,tragedy, feminism, racialism and neorealism. Other researchers talks about the novelfrom the aspect of psychic trauma. This paper will analyze the novel from the perspectiveof existentialism.The first chapter will introduce the development of existentialism and the thought ofSartre and Camus, who are representatives of existentialism. Sartre not only thinks that“Existence precedes essence”, but also holds that “Existentialism is a humanism”. Camusadvocates the restrictive revolt in the absurd world and argues against terroristic revolt.The second chapter mainly analyzes the alienation among people in the novel andthe reason why there exists alienation. In the novel, alienation can be reflected in thefollowing aspects. Alienation between groups can be seen from color and class separation. Not only white people but also Jews discriminate against black people. Thediscrimination and class gap make severe alienation exist between white and black group.Alienation also exists between people and society. Lester Farley, a representative ofsoldiers who joined the war, can not be understood by others after he returned from battle.So he becomes estranged with society. Alienation between people is common in thenovel. Misunderstanding and prejudice exist between Coleman and his children, loverand workmates. Alienation is sometimes beyond blood relationship.The third chapter will pay attention on the analysis of importance and meaning ofchoices. Now that there is no God anymore, people are free and they can make choicesby themselves. Every characters in the novel have their own choices and they also takeresponsibilities after decision. Coleman chooses to hide his real identity, while Watt facesto the racial discrimination. By comparing different choices made by every characters,Roth dissects the reason of their different choices. People choose under restrictivecondition, which includes others’ influence, personal factor and historical factor. Thehistorical factors in the novel include racial discrimination, persecuting spirit and culturaldifference. The important thought of existentialism is that people have to find freedom inrestrictive environment. Many characters in the novel, such as Coleman, Delphine andFaunia, and even mythic figure Oedipus can not escape from restrictive factors. But theyalso try to find freedom under the condition.The fourth chapter mainly illustrates humanistic concern brought by existentialism.Existentialism brings people hope, which never neglects dilemma but faces to the shadow.The dilemma includes excessive ethical view and the shadow brought by war. Delphine,a representative of hypocritical supporters for serious ethical view, can’t face to the stainof human. Existentialists advocate rational and restrictive revolting spirit because thespirit without restriction will lead people to nihilism. In absolute resistance, Lesterhimself is lost in absurdity when he is destroying others. Although there exists alienationbetween people and the indeterminacy brought by different choices, the mutualunderstanding and love for people and nature are also the effective medicine, which canhelp people extricate from predicament. Coleman and Faunia regain inner peace throughmutual understanding.The conclusion part summarizes the theme of the novel and existentialism thought in the novel. And it points out that analyzing the novel from existentialism not only hasliterary significance, but also has modern meaning. It can help people face to thepredicament. Facing the shadow, people can see the sunshine and then keep faith.