Existentialism Features Depicted in the Sinhala Novel: An Analysis Based on Selected Sinhala Novels

Abstract

Existentialism is a philosophy of man. Studying Existentialism will be beneficial to understand the reality of life and what the absolute truth is. The main purpose of this research is to examine the characteristics in humanistic psychology, religious perspective, and Marxist analysis of the creation of humanity of the philosophical thought of existentialism, which are represented by the creativity of literary fiction. All the selected novels (1955-1965) are chosen as primary sources and critical essays that are published on novels under the theme of existentialism, as well as articles published in newspapers and online articles are selected as secondary sources. Between 1955 and 1965, the Sinhala novels tended to take a new path. The novels feature characters who were isolated from the outside world, who acted in a way that was inherently isolated and challenged against social norms. Acting in their own will, they also became isolated figures among intellectual thinking, bringing to life the philosophy of existentialism. The subject of humanistic psychology is entirely a reflection of existentialism. Existentialism is an oasis of psychology as it explores the spirituality of man. And it also exemplifies the plight of man. Existentialism tends to look at man from a humanistic point of view, stating that a practical and coherent solution must arise within man, rather than the concept of nirvana in Buddhism. Marxists’ acceptance of alienation cannot be ruled out that there was an alienation behind the dark side to the moods of the characters raised in real-time Sinhala novels. Therefore, it can be concluded that existentialism, both psychologically and religiously, were influenced by the reflection of humanity in Sinhala novels in the 1955-1965 decades.