Existentialism
A philosophical and literary movement emphasising individual existence over abstract essence, radical freedom, individual responsibility, and the anxiety of choice. Existentialist literature often explores meaninglessness, absurdity, and individual choice in an indifferent universe.
Real World
Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot' (1953) presents two characters who never act decisively despite waiting indefinitely for someone who never arrives — staging existentialist paralysis and the anxiety of radical freedom with almost no plot to distract from it.
Exam Focus
Ground existentialist readings in textual evidence of character choice and inaction; assert the philosophical context after the close reading, not before.
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