Absurdity and Revolt in the works of Georges Duhamel: A Camusian reading

Abstract

A reading of the works of Duhamel in light of those of Camus suggests a strong influence on the latter by the former. By the time Camus began his literary career, Duhamel was already a well established and respected author, with whom most educated French people would have been familiar. This thesis posits the idea that, long before Camus named the absurd in 1942, Duhamel had already explored many of the themes that would form the subject matter for 'Le Mythe de Sisyphe' (1942) and 'L'Homme révolté' (1951). Not only are these two essays crucial in understanding the evolution of Camus' thought; they can be shown to be essential road maps for identifying themes of absurdity and revolt in the works of the earlier writer; Duhamel. Features common to the protagonists of both authors - the gratuitous acts committed by both Salavin and Meursault and their ambivalent responses - suggest a strong link between them. If Meursault's actions can be explained by 'Le Mythe de Sisyphe', then perhaps Duhamel's Salavin and Laudrel can be illuminated by the very same essay. If Duhamel's Laurent Pasquier embodies some of the qualities of Dr Rieux, then perhaps he might also be considered a rebel in what would become the 'Camusian' sense. Themes of absurdity and revolt permeate Duhamel's entire literary output; while Duhamel's Salavin and Camus' Meursault are quite different personalities, they both follow a path infused with a sense of the meaninglessness of existence, tinged with nihilism and which culminates in an ethical rebellion in the face of the certainty of death. It is these convergences, similarities and parallels which form the basis of this project and which, to date, have not been thoroughly explored by critics. In other words, there has been no detailed comparative analysis of the works of these two authors. It is this gap in the critical canon which this thesis seeks to rectify.