ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to examine the interconnected themes of humanism and extremism within selected works of Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, ÉdouardLevé, and LeïlaSlimani. The objectives of the study was to integrate concepts of thematic analysis, psychocriticism,sociocriticism, comparative approach and to exemplify complementary perspectives on the interconnected themes of humanism and extremism in the selected works of these authors, discover the relationships between the selected texts and their social, historical, and cultural contexts; identify and interpret the main ideas, messages, and symbols related to humanism and extremism contained in the selected works of these authors; analyse existential attitude on characters and philosophical concepts embedded in the narrative within the chosen texts of these authors; and identify points of convergence and divergence in the ideas of these writers and reflections on humanism as shown in the studied texts.
Eight works were selected for study: Les Mouches, Huis Clos, and Existentialisme est un humanism from Sartre, L'étranger, Le Malentendu and La Chute from Camus, Suicide from Levé and Chanson douceby Slimani. The study employed textual analysis and literary criticism of novels, essays, and plays to comprehend the texts, thematic analysis to uncover the main ideas and symbols, psychological aspects of characters and theoretical insights from Durkheim, Goldmann, Freud and Foucault to interpret concepts in the selected texts.
The study found that the texts exemplify complementary perspectives on the interconnected themes of humanism and extremism by depicting the ethical dilemmas and existential struggles faced by their characters; the study showed how the turbulent events of the 20th century, including the world wars and ideological shifts like Fascism, Communism, and existentialism shaped their portrayals of human nature and societal dynamics, the study has identified and interpreted the main ideas, messages, and symbols related to humanism and extremism expressed in the selected works of these authors, the study analysed existential approach on characters and philosophical concepts such as themes of freedom, authenticity, absurdity, and individual responsibility, as identified in the narrative in the selected works of these authors to criticize and challenge existential questions and the consequences of extremism. While the authors all grappled with humanism and extremism, their selected works showcased diverse approaches.
