An Existential Exploration of Cormac McCarthy's Suttree

Abstract

Cormac McCarthy’s Suttree explores the existential problem of life’s meaning with astonishing depth. Jean-Paul Sartre’s theory of bad faith, Albert Camus’s absurdism, and Martin Heidegger’s ethic of care provide insight into Cornelius Suttree’s struggle to realize his identity and live a fulfilling life. Their philosophies are crucial to understanding Suttree’s evolution from an individual without meaning to a member of society with a sense of purpose.