Albert Camus and Suicide

Humanity has always been intrigued with death and questioning the morality of deaths. Philosopher Albert Camus is famous for his work with the suicide aspect of death. Suicide is a part of society that many people would like to overlook because it is an uncomfortable subject to describe. Through his works, Albert Camus took on philosophies of death, looking suicide in the eye.

Philosopher Albert Camus was born on November 7, 1913 in Mondovi, Algeria. A year later, in 1914, his father died during a World War I battle, leaving his nearly deaf mother to take care of two sons. This poverty struck hardship remains constant throughout Camus’ life, influencing his literature. In 1940, during wartime, Camus worked in Paris as a reporter for Paris-Soir. It was at this time where he began writing three manuscripts that he called The Absurds. These three writings are considered Camus’ best philosophical works. It includes The Stranger, The Myth of Sisyphus, and Caligula.

The Myth of Sisyphus is a well-crafted short story, with Camus dissecting and refining the short story for five years. The first sentence shows the crafted content of each sentence, “There is only one serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide”

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It is this constant struggle up the mountain that entitles Sisyphus to become a hero.

In the first sentence of The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus regards that the one fundamental dilemma in life is questioning suicide.

Although Camus never admitted to being an existentialist, many of his philosophies go toward that direction. It is during this time that he decides to endure his hardship over and over. From reading the story, I feel that Camus is attempting to show us that everyone must overcome our absurdity. Every person is condemned to die in life. But each time the rock rolls down the mountain, in order to continue living, one must leave their comfort zone. All of these things are not chosen by a person, but is their destiny. His upfront style against suicide proves his philosophical talents. However, as Sisyphus hopes for success, the rock will always roll back into its initial state.

Camus is suggesting that despite one’s fate, they should accept it in order to continue living. By doing so, he becomes a hero because he instills the ability of enduring punishment.

Throughout the story, Camus points out the absurdity in our lives. The more hardships a person encounters, the stronger a person becomes. Without challenging and accepting hardships, one will never learn to live.

Approximate Word count = 1235
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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