Jean-Paul Sartre's early philosophical explorations into human existence culminated in his 1938 novel, The Nausea, which remains one of the most influential works of existential literature. In this novel, Sartre employs literary techniques to examine key existential concepts such as contingency, the self, and intentionality, using the metaphor of "nausea" to illuminate the unsettling nature of human existence.
At the core of The Nausea is the idea of randomness, or contingency—the realization that existence is arbitrary and devoid of inherent purpose or necessity. Through the experiences of the novel’s protagonist, Roquentin, Sartre explores the discomfort that arises from confronting the sheer continuity of existence. Roquentin’s growing awareness that things simply "are," without any underlying reason or meaning, triggers a profound existential discomfort that Sartre represents as nausea. This feeling reflects the existential truth that human existence is not anchored in any higher order or rationality but is instead a brute fact—an absurd and inexplicable reality.
Nausea and the Self
The theme of randomness in The Nausea is deeply intertwined with Sartre’s evolving concept of the self. In his early philosophical works, Sartre challenges traditional notions of the ego as a stable, intrinsic entity. For him, the ego is not an inherent part of consciousness but a construct revealed only through reflection. Consciousness, in Sartre’s view, is fundamentally outward-directed, always engaged with the world around it. The ego, by contrast, emerges only when consciousness reflects upon itself, making it a conditioned product of self-awareness rather than an essential element of human existence.
Sartre’s philosophical rejection of the ego as a fixed, internal substance is mirrored in Roquentin’s experience of nausea and his growing sense of detachment from his own identity. As Roquentin undergoes moments of existential clarity, he realizes that his sense of self is not grounded in any stable foundation. This realization breeds alienation, not only from the external world but from his own identity, leading him to question the nature of the self. Sartre uses this narrative to illustrate the instability of the ego and the fluidity of human identity, which is constantly in flux, shaped by choices and actions rather than an unchanging core.
Intentionality and Estrangement
Sartre’s use of the concept of intentionality, borrowed from Husserl’s phenomenology, is crucial to understanding both his philosophy and the literary depth of The Nausea. In phenomenology, intentionality refers to the idea that consciousness is always directed toward something; it is never a self-sufficient entity but is always relational, engaged with the world. Sartre vividly illustrates this concept through Roquentin’s interactions with everyday objects. As Roquentin perceives familiar items—a pebble, a tree root—they become profoundly alien to him. Once mundane, these objects now seem strange and oppressive, confronting him with the stark reality of their existence as crude, meaningless facts. This altered perception underscores Sartre’s point about the nature of consciousness and its unsettling encounter with the arbitrary and contingent nature of existence.
A Literary and Philosophical Fusion
The Nausea intertwines key tenets of Sartre’s existential philosophy—contingency, the intentionality of consciousness, and the rejection of a fixed ego—within its narrative structure. These philosophical concepts are embedded within the novel’s fabric, making it not only a powerful literary work but also a profound philosophical meditation on the nature of human existence. Through Roquentin’s journey, Sartre compels readers to grapple with the disturbing, yet liberating, implications of existential freedom, the fluidity of the self, and the arbitrary nature of the world we inhabit.
