Kristopher Escobar TOP, Second Meeting Professor Shanahan October 6, 2009 Assignment #2: Design a Small Group Discussion

Topic: Analyzing Interpretations of the Absurd in Existential Thought Assignment Prompt: Carefully read over the five questions below. Reread "The Myth of Sisyphus" one more time, keeping these questions in mind. When finished, discuss with your group possible answers to these questions and come to an agreement on which of the possibilities you will use for each question. Record your results individually. For this exercise, you will also need to pick a group spokesman who will be willing to relay your group results to the rest of the class. This exercise should last approximately 15-20 minutes, in which time we will reconvene as a class and discuss each groups conclusions. 1. Many have identified the character of Sisyphus as the "absurd hero". What is an "absurd hero" and why does Sisyphus fit this description? Consider Sisyphus' predicament; why is it absurd and/or tragic? Consider the meaning of 'hero' and what it means to be a hero; how is Sisyphus a hero of his absurd situation?

2. Camus writes, "If the descent is sometimes performed in sorrow, it can also take place in

joy." and "The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy." How could Sisyphus be joyful in performing his task? How can the "struggle itself" produce happiness? Moreover, how does happiness itself produce the absurd?, "It happens as well that the feeling of the absurd springs from happiness."

3. How does your life resemble Sisyphus' tragic situation? Camus writes, "The workman of

today works every day in his life at the same tasks, and this fate is no less absurd [than Sisyphus']."; how is this so?

4. Camus writes, "Sisyphus, proletarian of the gods, powerless and rebellious, knows the whole

extent of his wretched condition: it is what he thinks of during his descent. The lucidity that was to constitute his torture at the same time crowns his victory." How does Sisyphus' consciousness of his absurd situation crown him victorious over the gods? Consider this: when is Sisyphus, in performing his task, conscious of his situation?

5. Does Sisyphus have some sense of freedom in spite of his tragic situation? If so, what sense

of freedom does Sisyphus maintain? If not, why is Sisyphus completely devoid of freedom?