"The Myth of Sisyphus" by Albert Camus is a philosophical exploration of absurdism, existentialism, and the human condition within French literature. Through the lens of the ancient myth of Sisyphus, Camus delves into the depths of existential crisis and rebellion against the absurdity of life. He examines the meaning of existence, confronting nihilism and the inherent absurdity of the universe. Camusian philosophy emphasizes the absurdity of human existence and the individual's struggle to find meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. Sisyphus, condemned to endlessly roll a boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down, becomes a symbol of the human condition—constantly striving for purpose in a universe devoid of inherent meaning. In confronting the absurdity of life, Camus explores themes of rebellion and defiance against the existential void. He reflects on the notion of suicide as a response to the absurd, ultimately advocating for a rebellion against the absurd through embracing the act of living fully. "The Myth of Sisyphus" stands as a profound meditation on existence, challenging readers to confront the absurdity of life and find meaning within it.
Albert Camus was a French philosopher, author, dramatist, journalist, international federalist, and political activist. He was 44 years old when he received the 1957 Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the second-youngest recipient in history. His works include The Stranger, The Plague, The Myth of Sisyphus, The Fall, and The Rebellion. Camus was born in Algeria during the French colonialism to pied-noir parents. He grew up in an impoverished district and later studied philosophy at the University of Algiers. He was in Paris when the Germans invaded France in 1940 as part of World War II. Camus attempted to flee but eventually joined the French Resistance, where he served as editor-in-chief of Combat, an illegal journal. Albert Camus was born on November 7, 1913, in a working-class suburb of Mondovi, French Algeria. His mother, Catherine Helene Camus, was French with Balearic Spanish descent. She was deaf and uneducated. He never met his father, Lucien Camus, a poor French agricultural worker who was killed in combat while serving with a Zouave regiment in October 1914, during WWI. Camus, his mother, and several relatives grew up in Algiers' Belcourt neighborhood without many basic material goods. Camus was a second-generation French resident of Algeria, a French territory from 1830 until 1962.
