The Emergence and the Essence of the Absurdity

The term of absurdity is applied to a number of works in drama and prose fiction which have, in common, the sense that the human condition is essentially absurd, and that this condition can be adequately represented only in works of literature that are themselves absurd. This movement has its roots in the movements of the expressionism and surrealism as well as in the fiction of Franz Kafka. This current movement emerged in France after the horrors of the World War II, as a rebellion against essential beliefs and values of traditional culture and literature which had included the assumptions that human beings are fairly rational creatures who live in partially intelligible universe that they are part of an ordered social structure, and that may be capable of heroism and dignity. This movement gave the rise to fears and frustrations, skepticism and agnosticism. Heroic ideals were topsy-turvy and beliefs in religio-philosophical anchors were shattered. The anti -hero is neurotic and crippled emotionally if not physically. Moral and ethical values are no longer accepted as absolutes.