Existawhat?

I have to say that I really enjoyed class on Monday and Wednesday... which was very shocking because I don't think anyone else did.  Even though discussions tend to move forward without me, I really got into the discussion when we started talking about philosophy.  I was introduced to a new way of thinking known as Existentialism.  It's the opposite of what most religions believe in and even though I am Christian, I still found myself really drawn to this subject.  Our actions identify what type of person we are; that is existentialism. After learning about the principles of existentialism, I enjoyed the subject even more because I could relate to the subject.

Many works of literature use existentialism to help define their characters.  "The Guest" was able to use existentialism to define the character Daru.  Two major principles were used in this short story: freedom and alienation.  It would be hard to spot these common themes if the reader did not already know that existentialism was.

Daru is isolated and alone on the hill.  He provides food for students but that is it.  He doesn't deal with anyone personally, only the fact that some people don't have food.  I believe that the author used this principle to depict Daru's character to the reader.  He has a very strong sense of alienation.  He doesn't deal with responsibility, only himself.  However, Daru is forced to deal with responsibility.  An Arab is left on his doorstep and forces Daru to be responsible for someone else's life.   Daru's freedom was threatened at this point and I believe that if anyone was put in that situation then we would do anything to regain our freedom.  Forcing someone to accept responsibility only makes them desperate for their freedom.  You accept the responsibility and then once done with it, you get freedom back but does it really work that way.  At the end of the story, Daru is still held accountable for his role in the Arab's path.  This makes me wonder if anyone is ever re-leaved of the responsibilities forced upon them or do they haunt you?  Based on the story, I'd say they haunt anyone who tries to run away from them.