Abstract: Norman mailer’s novel The Naked and The Dead reveals dilemma of the absurdity of war and extreme alienation of interpersonal relations. As the core concepts of Sartre’s existentialism, absurdity and alienation become the most important theme in this novel. This paper tries to use Sartre’s theory to analyze the theme of the novel: the absurdity manifested from three aspects—irrational totalitarianism, absurd military rules and absurd conquest of Anopopei. It also points out the most important reason of absurdity — alienation. The alienation of interpersonal relations in the novel mainly refers to the relations between commanders and soldiers, soldiers and soldiers, men and women (husband and wife). 

Key words: The Naked and The Dead; existentialism; absurdity; alienation

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

1.1 Introduction to the Novel and the Author1

1.2 Introduction to the Existentialist Thought2

2. Manifestation of Existentialist Thought in the novel.2

2.1 Absurdity of the War..2

2.1.1 Irrational Totalitarianism.2

2.1.2 Absurd Military Rules.4

2.1.3 Absurd Conquest of Anopopei.5

2.2 Alienation of Interpersonal Relations.6

2.2.1 Alienation Between Commanders and Soldiers6

2.2.2 Alienation Among Soldiers.7

2.2.3 Alienation Between Men and Women8

3. Conclusion8

Bibliography 11

Acknowledgement .12