The Imagination And Freedom-an Existentialist Interpretation Of The Benefactor

Susan Sontag is a Jewish American literary theorist, critic and writer. She enjoys a reputation for her critical commentary,but it must be noted that fiction writing is always her favorite. Her first novel The Benefactor has won the worldwide discussion since its publication in 1963. It is an experimental novel which has a strong idiosyncratic color. Its topic and writing skills are undoubtedly influenced by the ideas of Existentialism which prevailed in the twentieth century and is coincided with the ridiculousness and nothingness in Sartre's ideology. The novel is narrated by a 60-year-old man,but it is filled with introspective, skeptical, metaphysical and spiritual exploration. The Benefactor is a memoir in which the protagonist Hippolyte describes his freaky experience of dreaming,interpreting dreams and practicing dreams that inevitably put him in a moral dilemma.Existential ideas pervade the whole novel, and it is the key to a better interpretation of The Benefactor and the window for the readers to see Sontag hidden behind the protagonist Hippolyte as a philosophical writer.This thesis attempts to analyze Hippolyte's spiritual exploration in The Benefactor to illustrate existential themes. Apart from the introduction and conclusion, it falls into five parts. The "Introduction" looks at the relationship between Sontag and Existentialism and the status quo of Sontag research home and abroad. By combining theoretical analysis and intensive reading, the body part overall analyzes Hippolyte's lifelong ridiculous dream day in his existential way. Chapter One is about the basic themes of Sartre's Existentialism and Sartre's explanation about freedom. According to Sartre,"Existence precedes essence",that is to say, there is no objective power that can limit one's life and people can make free choices to be the person they like even though there are no rules for them to follow.Chapter Two analyzes the profound thought involved in the novel with the combination of Sartre's explanation of "the imagination and freedom" and Hippolyte's dreams. Hippolyte practices his ridiculous and unordered dreams in his real life and fulfills his absurd ideas regardless of morality, relations, and limitation of human nature. Chapter Three focuses on Hippolyte's family warmth, and analyzes his explanations of freedom during the period of getting along with his wife and father. From fear of marriage to mutual understanding,from indifference to company,this unforgettable experience undoubtedly gives Hippolyte a big lesson in this spiritual exploration. Chapter Four concentrates on his friendship with Jean-Jacques, and analyzes his psychological wave motions and collisions during the exchange and communication with Jean-Jacques. Chapter Five offers an analysis of Hippolyte's entangled love with Frau Anders, analyzing different choices and succeeding results with the guidance of dreams. The Conclusion points out that the analysis of Hippolyte's spiritual exploration in The Benefactor has a referential value for people who are confronted with similar living condition: reciprocal respect and commitment are the keys to freedom. Additionally, Sontag will be seen more clearly in this absurd story fixed with her confusion and ideas about the real life.