Quest of Self, Absurdity and Alienation in Elfriede Jelinek's Novel Lust

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Farooz Ganai, Dr. Gowher Ahmad Naik

Abstract

One of the most profound issues of modern fiction is alienation and isolation. It has become the subject of discussion for psychological, philosophical, sociological, and literary scholars. In the contemporary world, phenomenon like alienation has left an indelible impact. The Austrian Nobel laureate Elfriede Jelinek has firmly dealt with alienation and absurdity in most of her novels. Her protagonists fight for self-actualization, honor, dignity, and human existence. Edmund Fuller expressed that in the modern era, "man suffers not only from war, persecution, famine, and ruin but from inner problems, a conviction of isolation, randomness, and meaninglessness in his way of existence”. Similarly, Gerti, the protagonist of the novel, Lust feels alienated at her husband's house. She is captivated in a marriage relationship with Director Herman, where she is engaged in sex and red porn, quenches his sexual and sadomasochistic desire. Gerti escapes Herman to find peace but returns, devastated and lost. The present paper analyzes and discusses the theme of alienation in the novel Lust from Albert Camus and Karl Marx's perspective.

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