EXISTENTIALISM IN THE SELECTED WORK OF AMBROSE BIERCE

A thesis presented to the faculty of Greenpark Highschool Cainta, Rizal In partial fulfillment of the requirements of English III

ALLISON ANNE D. MARTIN REY KOTSKA ADONIS JHEROLD M. BALMACEDA THORSNYNE ALDRICH M. EMPHASIS ANTONIETTE A. FAVE KHRIJA ALICIA B. FRUTO JASMIN G. LAZARO ABDULLAH M. SHALABI CHRISTINE L. TAN

APPROVAL SHEET This thesis entitled existentialism in the selected work of Ambrose Bierce has been prepared and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the secondary school by ALLISON ANNE D. MARTIN, REY KOTSKA ADONIS, JHEROLD M. BALMACEDA, THORSNYNE ALDRICH M. EMPHASIS, ANTONIETTE A. FAVE, KHRIJA ALICIA B. FRUTO, JASMIN G. LAZARO, ABDULLAH M. SHALABI, CHRISTINE L. TAN. Who are hereby recommended for corresponding examination. November 25, 2011 Sir Jimmy B. Dillo, Jr.

Approved in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the secondary school by oral examination committee.

Sir Jepry A. Francia Member

Mrs. Catherine A. Alipio Member

Accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for secondary school.

November 25, 2011

Mrs. Rosario R. Bautista Principal of Greenpark Highschool

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We, the researchers, would like to thank God first because without Him we wouldnt be able to conduct this research, to be able to give us guidance and to answer our countless prayers. Second, our parents for all the support they gave us. Moral, financial, and spiritual support, for being with us in spirit. And our teachers, together with our adviser, Mrs. Catherine R. Alipio, also an expert in the panel member, and also supporting us as a adviser. Sir Jepry A. Francia, the critic reader in the panel members, for the suggestions for the good of our research. And Sir. Jimmy B. Dillo, Jr. for the criticism, that made us stronger, the supporting us all the way, and for the teachings that answered our questions, So, thank you all! And of course, Mrs. Rosario R. Bautista and Mrs Maricar Maligalig, for their support and advices. We are all thankful for the help we received from all of you.

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DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to our family, for their constant support believing in us that we can do this thesis, and for our friends and co-classmates for being with us, for Sir. Jimmy B. Dillo Jr. for his support, criticism and guiding us to the right way of our work. And last but not the least, we dedicate this thesis for The Almighty Lord, for being with us in spirit and giving us blessings along the way, we are thankful for all of you.

ALLISON ANNE D. MARTIN REY KOTSKA ADONIS JHEROLD M. BALMACEDA THORSNYNE ALDRICH M. EMPHASIS ANTONIETTE A. FAVE KHRIJA ALICIA B. FRUTO JASMIN G. LAZARO ABDULLAH M. SHALABI CHRISTINE L. TAN
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TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE i

APPROVAL SHEET ii ACKNOWLEGMENT . iii DEDICATION . iv

CHAPTER 1
The Problem ......... 1 Purpose and Background of the Story . 1-7 Theoretical Framework ... 8 Conceptual Framework ... 9 Conceptual Model ...... 10 Statement of the Problem ..... 11 Assumptions ................... 12 Scope and Limitation .... 12 Definition of Terms . 13-14

End Notes .. 15-16

CHAPTER 1 The chapter presents the background and the purpose of the study, theoretical framework, and conceptual framework, statement of the problem assumption, scope and limitation and definition of terms. Purpose and background of the study Existence precedes essence- Jean Paul Sartre1 The proposition that existence precedes essence is a central claim of existentialism, to existentialists, the human beingthrough his consciousnesscreates his own values and determines a meaning for his life because, in the beginning, the human being does not possess any inherent identity or value.2 Who describes how people live nowadays, for we may be born in this world as a human, but we have to find our own purpose by ourselves. For existentialist believes that if a person exists he or she can find their purpose through lifes purpose. Bur what is Existentialism? Existentialism is a philosophical approach by understanding human existence and experiences. It is based on the assumption that individuals are free and responsible for their own choices and actions. Hence, we are not victims of circumstance because we are what we have chosen to be. 3 As seen in society, where people are living constantly, trying to find their identity and purpose in life in the shifting and increasing industrialize world. As people continue their lives in this forever changing world they have to keep up in the evolving of society as they live their life and find their purpose.

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But all of us continue our lives working or studying but not finding any meaning in it, continuing our lives without getting a clue in who we are, and what is our purpose in the end of the day. That is why some people commits suicide, they write in their suicide note that they are bored in life, finding the no idea what is their purpose or losing their meaning in life, or depression, emotional pain and mostly a common reason is economic hardship. A survey was conducted for students of Institut Perguruan Bahasa Melayu Malaysia (IPBMM) about suicide; the survey was conducted in 2009. Survey 1: Have you ever wanted to commit suicide? 72.7% (32) of the people that answered the survey said that they have never thought about committing suicide. The remaining 27.3% (12) of the people said that they have thought about committing suicide.4 The remaining 27.3% felt all this pain and the emotional build up, and it bloomed a problem in the society that is like a cancer, the fact that we may continue living, but we still cant find our purpose and as we keep doing the same thing every day, we will realize that our life is meaningless, as we slowly sink into despair, we find a way out of it, anyway, even death. Like stated from above, existence precedes essence, that people is thrown to this world without a meaning, and we should find it ourselves, existentialism is also connected to negative human emotions that we experience like despair, anxiety, absurdity, alienation, and boredom. We feel these emotions when we are lost in finding our purpose, until it eventually leads to our ending place, death, first of all is alienation, when a person finds himself or herself left out in the society, not finding yourself being related to your
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environment, that is called alienation and when you start thinking that way, you will begin to think what are you for to those people around you when you dont even understand yourself and those around you, and when all those thoughts builds up inside of you, you will feel anxiety or fear, you will start worrying about yourself, about feeling all alone, your fearing that a day will come that you will be all alone and no future will be there for you. As we slowly drift away from society and gets closer to anxiety, we feel the never changing cycle of life we live in. As we work every day but not finding our purpose in life, we get tired of it. As we slowly sink in to boredom. And when all your efforts for finding your purpose amounts to nothing, we would start thinking that all the effort man makes, amounts to nothing, We will think that all the things we do in our everyday life if absurd for all our efforts are for naught. While Albert Camus, a French-Algerian absurdist philosopher, saw the goal of absurdism in establishing whether suicide was necessary in a world without God. For Camus, suicide is a rejection of freedom, because to live in a world like ours, while deciding our own action is freedom and to suicide is to throw away your chance to live. Because to flee the absurdity of reality in to illusions, religions, and death. People tend to make-believe or believe in illusions to hide from their problems; they rather lie to themselves, than to solve a problem, and religious people believes that God will help them in their problems, but when no help comes, they blame him for their hardship, and lastly death, it is also a escape from the hardships in life, because to die is to disappear into nothingness

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But even if we do all this things we still end up dying, fading from the world, even if we make-believe, even if we ask for help from The Almighty Lord, we still end up dying because that is where we are going, to death and that is reality. When we realize that this is the truth we lose hope, and that is what you call despair. As we realize all our effort is for nothing, we feel despair, we lose hope to find purpose and we eventually find a way out which is suicide. All of this negative emotions are linked to existentialism, Sren Kierkegaard, the father of existentialism, maintained that the individual is solely responsible for giving his or her own life meaning and for living that life passionately and sincerely, in spite of many existential obstacles and distractions including despair, anxiety, absurdity, alienation, and boredom.5 Sren Kierkegaard, emphasizes that even there are obstacles or problems, people can give meaning in their life. The existential obstacles are just hindrances that barricades us to see how we can live a passionate life, we should have a capacity of self awareness we can reflect our own action meaning if we know deep ourselves that we are responsible for what we do we can changed for the better. Freedom and Responsibility, we are held responsible for our own decisions, we cant blame someone for the mistakes we do, for it is our choice to go in that path, and we always have the freedom to choose, but sometimes instead of picking out or letting someone here our decision, we just base our decision from someone elses opinion but in the end, when something bad happen, we blame some other person, but in reality it

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was our decision to follow the path they say, so instead of blaming someone for our mistakes, we should be aware of what we do. Striving for Identity and Relationship to Others, As we exist, we make our own decisions, through those decisions we build our own identity, and when we make friends, we strengthen our identity, because someone is there to support us, but we should preserve our own unique identity, at the same time, to be able to relate to other people and nature. Once a person fails to build his or her identity or relationship to others, it will lead to alienation. Anxiety as a Condition of Living, We must face that anxiety is a part of living, but we can counter it with confidence, just by believing in ourselves, and despair is also a part of living, but we must always remember that every problem has a solution. Awareness of Death and Nonbeing -- If one fears death, he or she also fears life. By grasping the inevitability of death, one gains the motivation to live life fully and with meaning. We are all going to the same end point, which is death, but when we grasped the truth about death, that it is nothing to be afraid of, because it is just our end, because it is inescapable, it will happen. What is important is that we live contently. And thats why people ask existential questions, because we continuously search for answers, for our purpose. And the most common outlet of this existentialism question is literature. Bye the use of literature we can make a life out of it, and thorough working on literature we can find answers, but what is literature?

Literature is mans manifold experience blended in one harmonious language.6 Therefore people can express freely their thoughts in literature, and that is why existentialism is related to literature, for literature talks of human experiences where we can see in what we are reading and reflect our actions in it, and that is why the most common outlet of existentialism is literature. One of the famous existentialist that uses literature to express existentialism is Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (June 24, 1842 after December 26, 1913) was an American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist and satirist7. He is known by his warrelated stories that are disillusioned and fatalistic, filled with unsparing description of death and suffering. We picked him because his literary works is something that can be related in the problem of the society. One of his works that is best applied in the society is The Occurrence in Owl Creek Bridge is a short story that uses existentialism as a literary trend. It was originally published in 1890, and first collected in Bierce's 1891 book Tales of Soldiers and Civilians. The story is famous for its irregular time sequence and twist ending8. Set during the American Civil War, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is the story of Peyton Farquhar, a Confederate sympathizer condemned to death by hanging from Owl Creek Bridge. At the beginning of the story, the protagonist stands bound at the bridge's edge. It is later revealed that a disguised Union scout enlisted him to attempt to demolish the bridge, and subsequently he was caught in the act9. And he was sentenced to death by hanging in the Owl Creek Bridge, and as he was in the brink of

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death, he created a illusion in escaping but in reality he is going to die anyway. The story also portrait alienation, moral individualism and freedom of choice. When Peyton decided to destroy the bridge, he decided it by himself, without any influence from others, which shows freedom of choice, and even though there was a death sentence for those who tries to destroys the bridge, he still did it, and he didnt blame anyone for his mistake, which is moral individualism, and lastly Peyton was alienated from reality and his love ones when he experience making illusions of him escaping from death, even though in reality, he was still hanged. This story is related to the society because, when we are in a heavy problem, we tend to avoid the problem instead of facing it head-on. And today in the society people ignore their problems when they know it is too hard to face. And that is why we picked this story because it portrays the usual emotions that a human shows when he/she is in despair. And we think that this short story can enlighten people that instead of being afraid they should be able to accept the reality of death. That is why we created this research to apply existentialism to this problem and through existentialism we can find a solution. To be able to enlighten the people through this research. As said in 1987 Constitution of the Philippines in Article III, Section 4 of bill of rights;
No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances."10 xii

This law states that students like us can express and show what we think in this research and to be able to conduct this research to give more information to the society.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK Existentialism refers to a set of ideas about human existence, beyond the terms used in ancient philosophy and objective science. The term "existentialism" is used both for philosophical concepts and for literary works, as well as being a label applied to various works by others. The exact meaning depends on the particular writer, and some writers objected to the notion of being called "existentialists" as an attempt to restrict their ideas into a pre-defined category.11 In simpler terms, existentialism is a philosophy concerned with finding self and the meaning of life through free will, choice, and personal responsibility. The belief is that people are searching to find out whom and what they are throughout life as they make choices based on their experiences, beliefs, and outlook. And
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personal choices become unique without the necessity of an objective form of truth. An existentialist believes that a person should be forced to choose and be responsible without the help of laws, ethnic rules, or traditions.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK The conceptual model (Figure 1) found in the page (), formulated the guide the researchers in the pursuit of the study it consist of the independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV), each part of the framework explains how it s own purpose for the analysis synthesis of the selected work. The first frame shows the independent variable (IV) which is the selected work of Ambrose Bierce, The Occurrence in Owl Creek Bridge and the aspects of existentialism such as:

Freedom of choice, Alienation, and moral individualism.

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The second frame shows the dependent variable (DV) which is existentialism in the selected work of Ambrose Bierce, The Occurrence in Owl Creek Bridge . The line between two variables indicates the relationship formed after the analysis synthesis and criticism made in the selected work of Ambrose Bierce. The final product follows:

Selected work or Ambrose Bierce

Aspects of existentialism

Freedom of choice

Existentialism in the selected work of Ambrose Bierce

Alienation xv

Moral individualism

Figure 1 A conceptual model of existentialism in the selected work of Ambrose Bierce

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The researchers aimed to explore the concept of existentialism that is revealed in the selected works of Ambrose Bierce. Specifically south to answer the following aspects:
1.

How the researchers illustrate the following aspects:

a) Freedom of choice

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b) Alienation c) Moral individualism

2.

How did the short story illustrate the element such as: Characterization Setting

a) b) c) d) e)

Theme Plot Imagery and symbolism

ASSUMPTIONS 1. Existentialism is a term applied to a school of 19th- and 20th-century philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual9.

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2. The selected work of Ambrose Bierce that is The Occurrence in Owl Creek Bridge used existentialism as its literary trend.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The researchers have focused and analyzed the selected work of Ambrose Bierce The Occurrence in Owl Creek Bridge . For it is related to the chosen literary trend Existentialism, the qualitative descriptive method was utilized in conducting this study. For Existentialism is about sole existence which emphasizes the aspects namely: Freedom of choice, Alienation, and moral individualism.

The study was conducted within the premises of Greenpark Highschool Year 2011-2012.

DEFINITON OF TERMS 1. Characterization is the process by which the writer reveal the personality of a character.12 2. Free of choice makes morality possible and renders us responsible for our actions and our lives.13
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3. Moral Individualism regards manevery manas an independent, sovereign entity who possesses an inalienable right to his own life, a right derived from his nature as a rational being.14 4. Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.15 5. Plot is a literary term defined as the events that make up a story, particularly as they relate to one another in a pattern, in a sequence, through cause and effect, or by coincidence.16 6 .Setting of a story answers the questions of where and when the story takes place. These worksheets will help understand the concept of 'setting' as a part of a story or book.17

7. Subjectivity refers to the subject and his or her perspective, feelings, beliefs, and desires. In philosophy, the term is usually contrasted with objectivity. 18

8. Symbolism is the practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships.19

9. Theme is a broad, message, or moral of a story. The message may be about life, society, or human nature. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and are almost always implied rather than stated explicitly.20

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END NOTES
1.

Existence Precedes Essence Jean Paul Satre (November 24, 2011)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism#What_is_existentialism.3F
2.

Existence Precedes Essence (November 26, 2011)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existence_precedes_essence
3.

Existentialism A Definition (November 26, 2011) http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/existentialism.htm

4.

Suicide- Presentation Transcript (November 29, 2011) http://www.slideshare.net/syazayasmin/suicide-1316378

5.

Existentialism (November 29, 2011) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism

6.

Literatures meaning (November 26, 2011) Mr. Jimmy B. Dillo Jr. Teacher of English in Greenpark High school.
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7.

Ambrose Bierce (November 24, 2011) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambrose_Bierce

8.

An Occurrence In Owl Creek Bridge (November 24, 2011) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Occurrence_at_Owl_Creek_Bridge

9.

An Occurrence In Owl Creek Bridge (November 24, 2011) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Occurrence_at_Owl_Creek_Bridge

10.

1987

CONSTITUTION

OF

THE

REPUBLIC

OF

THE

PHILIPPINES

(November 22, 2011) http://www.lawphil.net/consti/cons1987.html

11.

Existentialism (November 23, 2011) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism#What_is_existentialism.3F

12.

Characterization (November 29, 2011)

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson800/Characteriz ation.pdf
13.

Free of choice (November 29, 2011)

http://www.christendom-awake.org/pages/may/free-choice.htm
14.

Individualism (November 29, 2011)

http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/individualism.html
15.

Philosophy (November 29, 2011)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy
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16.

Plot (November 29, 2011)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plot_(narrative)
17.

Setting (November 29, 2011)

http://bogglesworldesl.com/setting.htm
18.

Subjectivity (November 29, 2011)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subjectivity
19

. Symbolism (November 29, 2011)

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/symbolism
20.

Theme (November 29, 2011)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theme_(literature)

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