The Concept of "Nothingness" in Fiction

My great friend, a literary lion of the 20th and 21st centuries, Jerome Charyn, suggested today's topic after reading my prior Subtack entitled "Something about 'Nothing.'" Never one to turn down a good idea, I immediately set to work on an exploration of "nothingness" in fiction. The concept of “nothingness” is often linked to existentialist and absurdist philosophies and challenges readers to confront the stark realities of existence. Below are my findings as limited to just six prominent authors. There are more, of course, but these reveled in the "void" where their works evoked introspection and, at the same time, illuminated the human condition.

1. Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett

One of the quintessential works exploring nothingness is Samuel Beckett's play, Waiting for Godot. Although primarily a play, its narrative and themes are deeply entrenched in literary fiction. The plot revolves around two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who wait endlessly for someone named Godot. The absence of Godot, the repetitive dialogue and the barren setting all contribute to a sense of nothingness. The characters' existential plight reflects the futility and absurdity of human life.

Critical Commentary: Martin Esslin, in his seminal work The Theatre of the Absurd, describes Waiting for Godot as a play that captures the "tragicomic nature of human existence" through its depiction of waiting and nothingness. Esslin notes that Beckett’s minimalism and sparse dialogue emphasize the void and uncertainty that define human life.

Author's Insight: Samuel Beckett himself remarked, "It is a play that tries to bring the audience to the brink of nothingness, where the absurdity of human existence becomes palpable. The act of waiting, without purpose or end, is a metaphor for life itself."

2. Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre

Jean-Paul Sartre's Nausea is a seminal existentialist novel that delves into the concept of nothingness. The protagonist, Antoine Roquentin, experiences a profound sense of nausea when confronted with the sheer existence of objects and people around him. Sartre uses this sensation to illustrate the void and meaninglessness inherent in life. Roquentin's journey is one of coming to terms with this nothingness and the freedom it paradoxically affords.

Critical Commentary: Iris Murdoch, in her review of Nausea, highlights Sartre’s exploration of existential angst and the "malaise of the modern man." She asserts that Sartre masterfully captures the "overwhelming and paralyzing" nature of existential nothingness through Roquentin’s experiences, creating a vivid portrayal of the human condition.

Author's Insight: Jean-Paul Sartre noted, "Through Roquentin, I wanted to depict the sense of absurdity and the nausea that arises from the confrontation with the mere fact of existence. It is this confrontation that reveals the nothingness at the core of our being."

3. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

In The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera explores the dichotomy between lightness and weight, which can be interpreted as a form of nothingness. The novel follows the lives of several characters in Soviet-occupied Czechoslovakia, examining how they navigate love, politics and identity. The notion of "lightness" signifies a lack of meaning or consequence, highlighting the ephemeral and often inconsequential nature of human existence.

Critical Commentary: Harold Bloom, in his analysis of Kundera's work, points out that the novel "captures the transient and often trivial nature of human actions and relationships." Bloom argues that Kundera's portrayal of lightness serves as a metaphor for existential nothingness, challenging readers to reflect on the fleeting nature of their own lives.

Author's Insight: Milan Kundera commented, "The concept of lightness in the novel represents the insignificance and emptiness of life’s events when stripped of weight and meaning. It is in this lightness that we find an existential nothingness, a space devoid of consequence."

4. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man presents a powerful exploration of social invisibility and existential nothingness. The protagonist, an unnamed black man, feels invisible to the society around him, as his identity and humanity are ignored. This metaphorical invisibility underscores a profound sense of non-existence within a racially oppressive society. Ellison's narrative examines how the protagonist grapples with this imposed nothingness and strives to assert his identity.

Critical Commentary: Richard Wright praised Invisible Man for its "profound and layered exploration of the African American experience." Wright emphasizes how Ellison uses the theme of invisibility to delve into the "existential void" faced by marginalized individuals, making a powerful statement on identity and societal recognition.

Author's Insight: Ralph Ellison explained, "The invisibility of my protagonist is a metaphor for the social and existential nothingness imposed upon black individuals in America. Through his journey, I sought to explore the depths of this imposed void and the struggle for identity within it."

5. No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men is a stark portrayal of moral and existential void. Set against the backdrop of a violent crime spree in Texas, the novel delves into the randomness and brutality of fate. The antagonist, Anton Chigurh, embodies an almost nihilistic force, bringing a sense of inevitable nothingness to the lives he touches. The novel's bleak tone and sparse prose amplify this theme, leaving readers with a haunting sense of the emptiness that permeates the characters' lives.

Critical Commentary: Michiko Kakutani of the New York Times lauds McCarthy for his "stark and haunting narrative," noting that the novel "confronts readers with the stark realities of fate and the moral void." Kakutani asserts that McCarthy's depiction of Chigurh as a force of nature embodies the "terrifying and indifferent nothingness" that defines the novel’s existential themes.

Author's Insight: Cormac McCarthy remarked, In No Country for Old Men, I wanted to explore the sense of existential emptiness that accompanies a world governed by randomness and violence. Chigurh represents the embodiment of that nihilistic force, an indifferent agent of fate."

6. The Stranger by Albert Camus

Albert Camus' The Stranger is a classic existentialist work that captures the essence of nothingness. The protagonist, Meursault, lives a detached and indifferent life, displaying emotional apathy even in the face of his mother's death and his own impending execution. Camus uses Meursault's indifference to highlight the absurdity and lack of inherent meaning in life. Meursault's acceptance of this absurdity and his embrace of nothingness mark the novel's profound philosophical underpinnings.

Critical Commentary: Richard A. Posner, in his review, describes The Stranger as "a seminal work that brilliantly conveys the absurdity and indifference of the universe." He argues that Meursault’s detachment is a powerful depiction of existential nothingness, making the novel a cornerstone of existential literature.

Author's Insight: In his essay "The Myth of Sisyphus," Camus himself comments on The Stranger, describing Meursault as an "absurd hero" who lives in a world devoid of meaning. Camus explains that Meursault’s indifference and eventual embrace of nothingness represent a rebellion against the absurdity of existence, emphasizing the novel’s existential message and illustrating Camus' core philosophical beliefs about the human condition.

The theme of nothingness in fiction offers a profound lens through which to examine human existence and confront the void, questioning the meaning of life and exploring the depths of human consciousness. The above works challenge us and in so doing, they leave an indelible impact on our understanding of the human condition, after which readers will need a good helping of pie to provide equilibrium.