Howard Campbell as an Existential Absurd Being in Kurt Vonnegut Mother Night

Abstract

This research analyzes Kurt Vonnegut’sMothe Night close from the viewpoint of existential absurdity. It uncovers the absurd, meaningless and purposeless life of the protagonist. This project analyzes the worthless, motionless and empty life of Howard Campbell. The protagonist remains identity less throughout life. He struggles to establish himself as an innocent. He intends to establish reputed identity. Despite his struggle, he fails and faces a sense of loss. His wife is killed. America and Germany refuse to acknowledge his contribution. Consequently, he became astateless person. Resi deceives him. His literary properties are stolen. Eventually, he is proved asa Nazi war criminal. Howard Campbell remains as an absurd character. Throughout text, the protagonist suffers the condition of alienation, loneliness and crisis of identity. He finds as if there is not any purpose to live. In this regard, this research aims to show the narrator’sempty life and his struggle to overcome it. Besides, the research work explores how the protagonist goes through the state of hopelessness, worthlessness, senselessness and emptiness. Moreover, it examines the protagonist as an existential absurd bseing.