Modern
(1939-1960)
The modern era occurred after the World War and can be considered as the sobering era for the people. During this period, the people around the world start to question and reflect on the previous experiences that happened. New philosophies begin to arise in this era; many great thinkers of the era become activist and their ideas become popular and yet controversial. The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche is associated with nihilism, which he criticizes people’s established morals and religion beliefs, for he does not think those ideas were valid for all people and that people should become “who you are” rather than what the society wants you to be; French philosopher Jean-Paul Satre on the other hand proclaims existentialism, which is similar with Nietzche’s belief in nihilism which people need to find their way of living but different in the sense that it’s more personal which people who believe in existentialism lives for themselves rather than destroying the whole social belief systems. Many artists and writers begin advocate those ideas through their paintings and writings. The French writer, Albert Camus, for example, wrote about the story of an existentialist named Meursault in his book called The Stranger is an excellent example that shows the world in the modern era. In the story Meursault seem to be detached from all the people in his life including his mother and his lover; Camus’ interestingly plotting for Meursault’s rejection for turning to God while he was in jail also shows another changing aspect of the society at the time that is the decline of religion. The decline of religion was the sign of people’s rejection for outdated ideas and institutions. Camus captures this aspect and incorporated nicely into The Stranger.
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