The Predicament Of Existence And Self-actualization:An Existentialist Analysis Of Arrowsmith

Harry Sinclair Lewis is the first American winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature and one of the most important American writers.His novel Arrowsmith is the first time that Lewis takes a medical scientist as the protagonist,sarcastically criticizing the hypocritical money-worship of the American medical community in the 20^thcentury,and highly praises the hero Martin Arrowsmith’s adherence to the spirit of scientific idealism.Based on three core viewpoints of Sartre’s Existentialism Theory,which concludes the absurd world,existence precedes essence and free choice,this thesis analyzes Martin’s predicament of existence in detail,probes into Martin’s alienation of existential consciousness,and discusses Martin’s self-actualization of realizing his scientific ideal through free choice.This thesis mainly includes six parts.The overview firstly introduces Lewis and Arrowsmith,summarizes the research status at home and abroad,and states the thesis’views.The first chapter introduces the development of Existentialism Theory and the core points of Sartre’s Existentialism Theory.The second chapter analyzes Martin’s survival dilemma in the absurd world.Martin was influenced by the values of materialism and money worship,placed himself in the standard formed by the gaze of others,and passively accepted the painful and accidental events of life.As a result,Martin continued to doubt and question himself as he grew and developed.The third chapter discusses the alienation process of Martin’s existential consciousness from the perspective of“existence precedes essence.”Martin constantly internalized the external values and influences,examined his own behavior with the standard under the gaze of others,and indulged in the pleasure brought by fame and wealth.Therefore,he gradually lost his subjective consciousness and free will,and further lost his independent consciousness.The Existentialism holds that the world is absurd,but at the same time advocates that people should make a free choice to assume self-responsibility through constant reflection.The fourth chapter focuses on Martin’s free choice and self-actualization.Martin no longer indulged in the absurd world,but through questioning and reflection,realized his scientific ideal,made free choices,and successfully achieved self-transcendence.He assumed the responsibility as a medical scientist,found his own value in the research work,and finally realized both physical and mental satisfaction.Arrowsmith fully exposes the impact of absurd values on people’s survival in the United States in the 20^thcentury,and reflects the confusion brought by money worship and hypocrisy.Through analyzing Martin’s breaking through the predicament and his final self-actualization,this thesis hopes to warn the modern people in the complex environment that they should stick to morality and faith,assume their own responsibilities,so as to realize self-transcendence.