Abstract
Killinger's argumentation is very convincing. He presents the connection between Hemingway's work and the existentialist movement in a tremendously clear and effective way. Every aspect of existentialism is covered, and backed with concrete examples and quotations from the text. The 'nada-concept' is particularly interesting, as it relates to the existentialist 'nothingness'. Broadly speaking, it seems true to me that the 20th century, with its two global wars and its genocides was characterized by a particularly new form of pessimism. Killinger's approach of death and violence reflects this horrific century, epitomizing massive, mechanical and depersonalized death. Mass murdering has the particularity to destroy individualities, since the victims are swallowed up in the masses. Therefore, Hemingway's focus on individuals (by emphasizing personal feelings, individual particularities, strengths, weaknesses, etc.) rather than on the community helps to rehabilitate the significance of individuality, parallel to the skyrocketing urbanization and pauperization of society.
