Samuel Beckett’s plays, particularly “Waiting for Godot” and “Endgame,” are imbued with existentialist themes, exploring the human condition, the meaninglessness of existence, and the search for purpose. The significance of existentialism in his work can be categorized into the following categories:

1. Absurdity and Meaninglessness: Beckett’s characters often grapple with the absurdity of life, reflecting existentialist ideas. In “Waiting for Godot,” Vladimir and Estragon wait endlessly for Godot, who never arrives. This endless waiting highlights the futility and lack of purpose in their existence, mirroring the existential belief that life has no inherent meaning.
2. Freedom and Choice: Existentialism emphasizes the freedom to choose and the responsibility that comes with it. In “Endgame,” Hamm and Clov exist in a barren, post-apocalyptic world, yet they continue to follow repetitive routines. Their ability to choose their actions, despite their meaningless existence, reflects existentialist notions of personal freedom and the burden of making choices in an indifferent universe.
3. Isolation and Communication: Beckett’s characters often experience profound isolation, struggling to communicate meaningfully. In “Endgame,” Hamm and Clov’s dialogues are marked by miscommunication and misunderstanding, underscoring the existential idea of the individual’s isolation in an incomprehensible world. Their interactions are limited and fragmented, highlighting the difficulty of finding true connection.

Through these elements, Beckett’s plays underscore existentialist themes, questioning the purpose of life, the nature of existence, and the human condition.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn speaks deeply to anyone going through a moral crisis, trying to understand what right and wrong really means. Society and morality aren’t always quite on the same side of the scales as you’d expect. But the existence of free will encourages one to own our individuality and use the freedom to think for ourself, and that we learn from Huck.

The journey starts with Huck helping Jim, the runaway slave escape, at a time when this was considered a punishable crime. Throughout the journey, he debates on whether he should turn Jim into the authorities and even writes a letter to Miss Watson about him, but eventually decides against them. He betrays the con men- King and Duke, thus solidifying his moral growth. And finally takes us to the climax of risking his own safety to help Jim escape from captivity showing the ultimate rejection of societal expectation.

The evolving relationship between Huck and Jim makes him challenge the racist ideologies he’d been taught. The development of Huck’s humanity and understanding of what it means to be right comes from his internal sense of justice and empathy. Showing us that all is not lost in a world where free will exists.