Papers by Ashkan Shobeiri
This paper explores the individualism portrayed by the lead character, Altair Ibn La'ahad, in Oli... more This paper explores the individualism portrayed by the lead character, Altair Ibn La'ahad, in Oliver Bowden's novel Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade. The discussion revolves around the protagonist's quest for self-discovery, which leads to his transformation through a series of incidents. In this exploration of individualism, much has been taken from the definition of Ralph Waldo Emerson, a towering American transcendentalist, whose terms such as " self-reliance " and " non-conformity " carry universal and timeless messages. Examining how individualism is integrated into a fictionalized society in Bowden's novel, the study first looks at the story's protagonist as the archetype of individualism and identifies the individual qualities established as a product of the chaotic environment. Additionally, this study attempts to show how the theme of exile is used to further character development and how it encourages Altair to rely on his individual intuition, even when he is required to function within a society. Literature of the twenty-first century is the homeground for hordes of celebrated novel series and video games that attract countless teenagers and adults alike, each year. One example from the ranks of top fictional material is the Assassin's Creed novel saga that was based upon its namesake video game franchaise. The plot centres around the " Assassin " who belongs to an organization that is involved in a feuding rivalry with the legendary " Knights of Templar " , while the storyline is narrated from a first person view of Altair –usually a member of the Assassin group− in the neverending war against Templar ideology and world domination. As a story that features a human protagonist, this paper is interested in expounding the relationship between individualism and romantic exile by observing the changes in personality and attitude which occurs when a character undergoes self-exile for extended periods of time. Another purpose of this study is directed at exploring how individualism is actualized by the protagonist character and also to include findings from past researches in order to generate adequate discussion as well as provide supporting facts.Individualism is a study which aims to pinpoint the reason of existence from an " individual " perspective. Although the theory itself came into the foreground by a wider philosophy known as " Existentialism " which in general, is concerned about existence as a " whole " , the topic also shares certain ties to humanism, starting from the Renaissance era. The idealism of " individuality " is a concept that takes into consideration of autonomy, non-conformity, and freedom for a person regardless of status, race, or culture to be in control of themselves in certain aspects of life.
This article is an analytical review of the argumentative issues of pessimism and optimism in two... more This article is an analytical review of the argumentative issues of pessimism and optimism in two of Beckett’s
supreme representation of the absurd, waiting for Godot and Endgame. Inasmuch as some famous Beckettian
critics have found optimism and happiness rather than pessimism and despair through their intuitive and
subjective approach to the absurdity of Beckett’s literary works, this survey is a review of the subjectivity of their
interpretation against an objective study with a feasible analysis which helps to substantiate the matter of
pessimism and despair in Waiting for Godot and Endgame.
Though Albert Camus was more accredited in literature than in philosophy, his novel The Outsider ... more Though Albert Camus was more accredited in literature than in philosophy, his novel The Outsider has made the subject 'absurdity of existence' known to the people through the life of his protagonist, Meursault. This paper is a critical study of the concept of the absurd in The Outsider, which is mainly based on Camus's philosophy of the absurd in The Myth of Sisyphus. In both works Camus pursues the problem of the absurd as the most fundamental question that could arise in a human's mind in his/her confrontation to life. These two texts support each other because, in The Myth of Sisyphus, he attempts to define the concept of the absurd philosophically, whereas, in The Outsider, the concept is delineated through the characterization and viewpoint of Meursault, the protagonist. Meursault, a self absorbed man who irrationally kills an Arab narrates the story in two parts, is the representation of an absurd man who finally attains some essential recognitions in his life before his condemnation to death by the court. Meursault's confrontation with the realities of the world, bravery and courage, without illusory hope but with awareness, could be the universal message which Camus gifted to his readers. The Outsider resonates Camus's claim "Happiness and the Absurd are two sons of the same earth" and "One must imagine Sisyphus happy" as this paper investigates the happiness in Meursault to delineate how absurdity and happiness are linked in Meursault's life and how he transforms into a hero like Sisyphus. Specifically, the process of recognition of the absurdity of life, triviality of death, and happiness are being examined in the characterization of the protagonist of The Outsider. The findings illustrate that Meursault's achievement of happiness is neither transcendent nor sensual; it is, in reality, an affirmation of the dignity and value of life.
This paper is about the Beckett's two masterpieces in the world of literature which are the best ... more This paper is about the Beckett's two masterpieces in the world of literature which are the best samples of Beckettian absurdism, as well. In both Waiting for Godot and Endgame Beckett intends to represent the absurdity of his situation through the indeterminacy of religion. To do this, Beckett shakes the pillars of religious beliefs and certainties through using both logical argumentation and mocking them, as well. Whether he logically questions the reliability of the religion or mocks it as a comic relief, his intention is to draw the audiences' attention to think about the indeterminacy of religion once more to arrive at the recognition that religious certainties are absurd, similar to our existence which is absurd.
Many writers had already elaborated upon matters of truth and honesty, when Albert Camus characte... more Many writers had already elaborated upon matters of truth and honesty, when Albert Camus characterized Meursault, the protagonist of his best selling novel The Outsider, as an honest man who 'refuses to lie…for the sake of truth'. At that time, Camus had an international fame in the world of literature, and he explained the novel and his absurd hero, Meursault, in a preface to an English language edition of L'Etranger. Yet, some commentators and critics found Camus's explanation strange and reacted against his commentaries. Chief among them is Conor Cruise O'Brien who believes that Meursault of the actual novel is not the same that Camus characterized in the explanation of the novel. O'Brien points out that Meursualt of the story lies, and he is indifferent to truth. This paper is a critical examination of O'Brien's and other critics' commentaries which stand for and against Camus's own commentaries on his absurd character, Meursault, to lead us to the heart of the matter of Camus's understanding of terms such as honesty and truth. In doing so, despite the fact that Camus is the creator of Meursault, his commentary on Meursault is analysed next to other critics' commentaries, and not as a dominant one.
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Papers by Ashkan Shobeiri
supreme representation of the absurd, waiting for Godot and Endgame. Inasmuch as some famous Beckettian
critics have found optimism and happiness rather than pessimism and despair through their intuitive and
subjective approach to the absurdity of Beckett’s literary works, this survey is a review of the subjectivity of their
interpretation against an objective study with a feasible analysis which helps to substantiate the matter of
pessimism and despair in Waiting for Godot and Endgame.
supreme representation of the absurd, waiting for Godot and Endgame. Inasmuch as some famous Beckettian
critics have found optimism and happiness rather than pessimism and despair through their intuitive and
subjective approach to the absurdity of Beckett’s literary works, this survey is a review of the subjectivity of their
interpretation against an objective study with a feasible analysis which helps to substantiate the matter of
pessimism and despair in Waiting for Godot and Endgame.