Existentialism in Behind the Scenes at the museum
The literary theory that most resonated with me in Behind the Scenes at the Museum was existentialism.
While reading Behind the Scenes at the Museum, there was a scene where Ruby found out that Patricia, her sister, was living in Australia and enjoying her life after being depressed for so long, one reason due to her giving up her child for adoption. A little time after learning the events regarding her sister, during a potato-peeling incident, where the peeling machine exploded unexpectedly, Ruby experiences an epiphany. Ruby has a sudden realization that she is living a life which she has no desire to be a part of. Just like her sister, she believes she can still find her happiness elsewhere by running away with her kids from her unhappy marriage. Ruby decides to find a life of happiness where women are seen as being more than just housemaids once they are married.
Similar to Ruby, when it came time for me to choose a university, I had the option of going to one of six Ontario universities, or going to one of the several international universities I was accepted at. I decided to go to the program that I felt was most appropriate for my career path, which happened to be outside of Canada. Although, I would be far away from my family and friends, I knew that going away was the best decision for what type of career and job field I want to work in. In order to find happiness, in terms of my future career, meant that I had to move away from the safety of my house and neighborhood. I could have easily chosen what was most convenient for me, which is in the comfort of a local school and friends close by, but instead, I chose a school that offers the best program for my education in International Relations. For this reason, I am going to Goucher, a small liberal arts college in Towson, Maryland which is a ten hour drive away from home. Like Ruby, I chose happiness over the easier, more typical answer to a situation in a world where these difficult decisions exist.
While reading Behind the Scenes at the Museum, there was a scene where Ruby found out that Patricia, her sister, was living in Australia and enjoying her life after being depressed for so long, one reason due to her giving up her child for adoption. A little time after learning the events regarding her sister, during a potato-peeling incident, where the peeling machine exploded unexpectedly, Ruby experiences an epiphany. Ruby has a sudden realization that she is living a life which she has no desire to be a part of. Just like her sister, she believes she can still find her happiness elsewhere by running away with her kids from her unhappy marriage. Ruby decides to find a life of happiness where women are seen as being more than just housemaids once they are married.
Similar to Ruby, when it came time for me to choose a university, I had the option of going to one of six Ontario universities, or going to one of the several international universities I was accepted at. I decided to go to the program that I felt was most appropriate for my career path, which happened to be outside of Canada. Although, I would be far away from my family and friends, I knew that going away was the best decision for what type of career and job field I want to work in. In order to find happiness, in terms of my future career, meant that I had to move away from the safety of my house and neighborhood. I could have easily chosen what was most convenient for me, which is in the comfort of a local school and friends close by, but instead, I chose a school that offers the best program for my education in International Relations. For this reason, I am going to Goucher, a small liberal arts college in Towson, Maryland which is a ten hour drive away from home. Like Ruby, I chose happiness over the easier, more typical answer to a situation in a world where these difficult decisions exist.
Existentialism Explained "Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes individual existence, freedom and choice. It is the view that humans define their own meaning in life, and try to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe. It focuses on the question of human existence, and the feeling that there is no purpose or explanation at the core of existence." This idea places importance on a person’s own existence and choices in order to make decisions deemed appropriate.
The link to a more detailed explanation of existentialism. |
"And so I married Gian-Carlo Benedatti....and in doing so condemned myself to some truly wretched years in which Gian-Carlo Benedetti's charms melt into the air along with his fine cheekbones and radiant smile....Not long after the phone call.....the potato-peeler had blown itself up and in that electric moment I had seen everything clearly-I was leading leading the wrong life!" (Atkinson 312-313) |