Subjectivity and Humanism as Two Major Factors of Jaun Paul Sartre’s Existentialism in: Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s ‘No One Writes to the Colonel’

Abstract

Existentialism, as the forerunner of twentieth century’s thought schools, encompasses and gives far more meaning to the
classical work of literature even the most recent ones as Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It is one of the broad schools of thought and philosophy
that deeply indebted to the ideas and studies of a French philosopher called Jean-Paul Sartre. “The more fashionable a philosophy
becomes”, Marjorie Grene states in his Introduction to Existentialism, “the more elusive is its definition” (Grene 23). So, the proponents
of existentialism proclaim that though many attacks few understand them" (Elizabeth 1). Regarding the school of existentialism and the
Marquez’s work called No One Writes to the Colonel; this study concentrates on Subjectivity and humanism as viewed in this novel and
as applied from the school. Sartre's existential elements, such as Subjectivity and Freedom, to choose as the two basic issues of
existentialism, are applicable and seen through this novel. The major character of the novel, a Colonel, makes his mind up to choose
waiting and through this decision, he gave meaning to his life and his own subjectivity. Finally the study comes to the conclusion that the
Colonel of Marquez’s novel –No One Writes to the Colonel- is an Existential human being, since he decides, accepts the responsibilities,
alienates himself, and becomes a sort of stranger in his hometown. And yet, he does not lose his hope, as far as he is free, liberated to
choose for humanism. Therefore, through the challenges he gains his true subjectivity and humanism.