Human species has come into being through nature. Its existence and emergence through evolutionary processes is glorified as the miracle of nature, for its most crucial characteristic and distinctiveness compared to other species on planet earth consists in its intelligence and its creativity. However, these characteristics of human beings have led to an ongoing process of rebellion by humans against nature. The driving forces for this development can amongst others be found in the industrial, agricultural, scientific and technological revolution taken place as of 19th century (Emmott 2013). These events have resulted in the dominance of human over other species and in the rapid reproduction of the human species all over the world. Around 1800 there were roughly one billion human beings existing, whereas today the numbers have increased to over seven billion and are still increasing per hour (Emmott 2013). Scientists have even predicted that the amount of inhabitants on earth will increase to nine billion in 2050 (Emmott 2013). This depicts a severe strain on earth and nature since the more human beings there are the more resources in form of energy and food are needed to keep them alive and the more energy is used the higher is the amount of by-products like plastic, radioactive waste, vehicle emissions and toxic gases the earth cannot be disposed of. Furthermore, resources like drinkable water will run short. In this sense, human being - as a product of nature- has begun a combat against his own designer, enslaved it and has shaped it according to his own imagination in a very short period of time.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The notion of Nature and Human in the OED
- 3. Human absurdity in French existentialism
- 3.1 The existentialist doctrine
- 3.2 Camus's philosophy of the absurd
- 4. Nature versus human in Ted Hughes' poem Lumb Chimneys
- 5. Conclusions
- 6. Works cited
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the concept of the absurd human condition as presented in French existentialism and its reflection in Ted Hughes' poem, "Lumb Chimneys." It will analyze the existentialist doctrine, focusing on the ideas of Camus, and compare these philosophical concepts with Hughes' depiction of the relationship between humanity and nature.
- The Existentialist concept of the absurd
- The relationship between humanity and nature
- The role of time and ephemerality in human existence
- Analysis of Ted Hughes' poem "Lumb Chimneys"
- The evolution of the meaning of "nature" and "human" in language
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central theme of humanity's rebellion against nature, driven by advancements in technology and resulting in overpopulation and environmental strain. It frames this conflict within an existentialist framework, highlighting the human desire for meaning and understanding in a seemingly indifferent universe. The chapter introduces Ted Hughes' poem "Lumb Chimneys" as a case study exploring this human-nature conflict and the concept of absurdity. The chapter's core argument is that humanity’s attempts to control nature reflect a fundamental uncertainty and search for harmony in an alien world.
2. The notion of Nature and Human in the Oxford English Dictionary: This chapter examines the etymological evolution of the terms "nature" and "human" as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary. It traces the shift in the meaning of "nature," from encompassing humanity to excluding it, highlighting the cultural implications of this linguistic change. The chapter also explores the ambiguity surrounding the definition of "human," emphasizing the lack of a clear consensus on human essence and its inherent traits. The analysis demonstrates how language reflects the evolving relationship between humanity and the natural world and sets the stage for a philosophical exploration of this relationship.
3. The absurd human in French existentialism: This chapter delves into the core tenets of French existentialism, particularly focusing on the concept of the absurd as developed by Albert Camus. It differentiates between atheist and Christian existentialism, emphasizing the atheist perspective’s focus on the non-existence of God and the idea that existence precedes essence. This section lays the groundwork for the subsequent comparison of existentialist thought with Hughes’ poetic representation of the human condition. The chapter’s significance lies in its detailed explanation of existentialist philosophy, creating a solid foundation for understanding the philosophical underpinnings of the analysis of Hughes’ work.
4. Nature versus human in Ted Hughes' poem Lumb Chimneys: This chapter analyzes Ted Hughes' poem "Lumb Chimneys," focusing on how it embodies the themes of nature versus humanity and the absurdity of human existence. This section applies the concepts discussed in the previous sections (existentialism and the definitions of nature and humanity) to a literary example, showing how the poem reflects the conflict between human attempts to impose order and nature's indifference. The analysis will likely explore themes of time, mortality, and the human struggle for meaning in the face of an indifferent universe. The chapter's contribution is the integration of philosophical theory with literary analysis.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Existentialism, absurdity, nature, humanity, Ted Hughes, Lumb Chimneys, human-nature conflict, time, ephemerality, Oxford English Dictionary, Albert Camus, meaning, uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper explores the concept of the absurd human condition as presented in French existentialism and its reflection in Ted Hughes' poem, "Lumb Chimneys." It analyzes the existentialist doctrine, focusing on Camus's ideas, and compares these philosophical concepts with Hughes' depiction of the humanity-nature relationship.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the existentialist concept of the absurd, the relationship between humanity and nature, the role of time and ephemerality in human existence, an analysis of Ted Hughes' poem "Lumb Chimneys," and the evolution of the meanings of "nature" and "human" in language.
What is the purpose of examining the Oxford English Dictionary (OED)?
The OED is examined to trace the etymological evolution of "nature" and "human," highlighting the cultural implications of the shifting meanings of these terms and demonstrating how language reflects the evolving relationship between humanity and the natural world.
How does the paper address French Existentialism?
The paper delves into the core tenets of French existentialism, focusing on Camus' concept of the absurd. It differentiates between atheist and Christian existentialism, emphasizing the atheist perspective's focus on the non-existence of God and the idea that existence precedes essence. This provides a foundation for comparing existentialist thought with Hughes' poetic representation.
How is Ted Hughes' poem "Lumb Chimneys" analyzed?
The poem "Lumb Chimneys" is analyzed to show how it embodies the themes of nature versus humanity and the absurdity of human existence. The analysis applies the concepts of existentialism and the definitions of nature and humanity to a literary example, showing how the poem reflects the conflict between human attempts to impose order and nature's indifference. Themes of time, mortality, and the human struggle for meaning are explored.
What is the overall argument of the paper?
The core argument is that humanity's attempts to control nature reflect a fundamental uncertainty and search for harmony in a seemingly indifferent universe. The introductory chapter establishes the central theme of humanity's rebellion against nature, driven by technological advancements, resulting in overpopulation and environmental strain.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The preview includes summaries for each chapter: an introduction establishing the central theme; an examination of "nature" and "human" in the OED; an exploration of the absurd human condition in French existentialism; an analysis of Hughes' "Lumb Chimneys"; and concluding remarks.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Keywords include Existentialism, absurdity, nature, humanity, Ted Hughes, Lumb Chimneys, human-nature conflict, time, ephemerality, Oxford English Dictionary, Albert Camus, meaning, and uncertainty.
What type of document is this preview?
This is a comprehensive language preview that includes the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What is the intended audience for this paper?
The intended audience is academic, focusing on the analysis of themes in a structured and professional manner.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2014, An existentialist reading of the human dilemma in Ted Hughes’s "Lumb Chimneys", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/511920
