Albert Camus’ Existentialist Perspective on the Novel Geethari

Abstract

A novel is considered an important medium for expressing various social issues. Literary critics generally argue that a novel should be read in the context of the period in which it was written, and this viewpoint is valid. At the same time, some world thinkers have proposed general philosophical ideas about humanity. Reading a novel from such philosophical perspectives allows us to see not just the issues of a particular society or community, but also how the novel connects with the broader concerns of human life. From this viewpoint, S. Tamizhchelvi’s novel Geethari can be approached differently. On a superficial reading, the novel may seem to depict only the Idaiyar community. However, when read through the existentialist philosophy of Albert Camus, particularly his concept of “Absurd” (L’Absurde), the sufferings of the Idaiyar people are seen not merely as social or community problems but as part of the larger human existential crises. This article explores S. Tamizhchelvi’s Geethari from Albert Camus’ existentialist perspective.