Abstract: The Golden Notebook, a magnum opus of Doris Lessing who won the 2007 Nobel Laureate in Literature, is a masterwork revealing the personal journey inward as well as the changes of thoughts in 20th century. This paper discusses the whole book from the perspective of two existential concepts: absurdity and freedom, for the purpose of enhancing our understanding about people’s living condition and the state of the whole world in mid-20th century, and providing us with a way of thinking on how to survive and live in 21st century．

Key words:The Golden Notebook; existentialism; absurdity; freedom; responsibility

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1.Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-2

3. Existence is Absurd-4

3．1Existence and Absurdity-5

3．2 Anna’s Existential Situation-6

3．3 Anna’s Absurd Existential Condition-8

3．4 The Absurd Existential Predicament-10

4．Existence is Free-12

4．1 Existence and Freedom-12

4．2 Anna and the Portmains’ Life Dilemma-14

4．3 Anna and the Portmains’ Life Breakthrough-16

4．4 The Real Existential Freedom-17

5. Conclusion-19

References-21