ethic that exposes a unique relationship between men and their God. Therefore, such notion is, in some points, poles apart from theological credo.
Kierkegaard states that the truth is “subjectivity”. Within subjectivity, the connection between men to themselves and their society will lead them to ultimate
relationship between them and God
50
. Although Kierkegaard is a devoted Christian, his work is mostly criticizing the church. He believes that being Christian does not
always mean that a person need to blindly follow what the church says because the relation between men and their God is the ultimate relationship and it can only be
determined by men and God Himself. The debate between atheistic and theistic existentialism shows that both ideas
hold their ground for God’s existence and religion. Sanjiwan Prasad in his study on atheistic existentialism and religion provides illuminating understanding on the
debate between both sides. Prasad shows that based on Heidegger and Sartre, atheistic existentialism provides men with logical study of religion and God.
He states that atheistic existentialism declares an idea that can be an important foundation for religion and God. He states that:
At the very outside it may be said that Atheistic Existentialism, by rejecting religion in on sweep, has admitted religion in the mood of
religion in the mood of indifference. Even though religion is only religion at adversity
– only in being rejected, the fact remains that the grounds of rejection are more or less not so much convincing as they appear to be so.
50
J.P. Sartre, Existentialism and Humanism, 4
True religion speaks of the involvements and commitments without which life’s goal cannot be realized. It is true that many distortions of
religion have completely neglected the fact and have taken to the purely rational ways for establishing points, but the true religion spirit always
emphasizes the importance of subjectivity and emotional commitments. In this respect, then Atheistic Existentialism will appear to be on the side of
religion at least for all intents and purposes. Thus we come to an interesting conclusion that in Atheistic Existentialism there is a scope
from true religion
51
. Prasad argues that Atheistic Existentialism can be very helpful for people to
see the real religion. Based on that idea, disregarding all the differences, atheistic existentialism and religious point of view can walk side by side in specified
circumstances. This conception is important to this thesis since Zobrist is a complex individual. In order to deeply analyze Zobrist in the extent of existentialism, there
should be a bridge between atheistic and theistic teaching. The ambiguity of Zobrist’s life and suicide has to be seen from both theistic and atheistic teaching.
Zobrist exposes the life of religious man. However, when he commits suicide, he is not a person that pictures the life of a religious individual. Therefore, he is
unique. His action has to be seen through the scope of atheism because suicide often connected to atheism or to an action of a non-believer. The major theme of the
debate between theism and atheism concentrates and focuses on whether religion and God exist or not. However, the study from Prasad exposes that the debate can be
deepened to the core value of both teachings. He shows that both sides have a similar understanding on several items. Suicide is possibly one of the ideas that are shared
51
S. Prasad, “Religion and Atheistic Existentialism”, Journal of Philosophy, 625-626
by both teachings since both sides share positive life attitude which is the opposite attitude of suicide.
4. Existentialist Approach to Literature
Existentialism is a philosophical movement which rejects the idea that the universe has any clues about how a man should live. It only focuses on individual
existence, freedom, and choice. Existentialism becomes prominent when reason considered as the
higher institution of human life and become the basis for all men’s decision; there is no higher element than the reason itself
52
. The phenomenon appears in this situation, then, leads Existentialist philosopher to elaborate theoretical
overview towards men’s reasoning. Existentialism is a philosophical teaching that can be applied to the study of
literary work. Hence, it is very important to determine which theme and stream of existentialism that will be used as the apparatus for the analysis since there are
numerous types of existentialism. The key of existential perspective is its freedom and its openness toward the situation on the story, which will all leave to the
creativity of the writer. Nordmeyer states that: It seems to be of the essence of a truly existentialist approach that
there is nothing dogmatic, nothing stereotyped, nothing professional about it whatsoever. Like idealism, like realism, existentialism-as
another mold of human reaction to the otherness beyond-harbors many antagonisms within itself
53
.
52
Tan Tijen, “Existentialism And Samuel Beckett’s Two Plays: Endgame and Happy Days” Middle East Technical University, 2007 10
53
H. W. Nordmeyer, “An Existentialist Approach to Literature”, The Modern Language Journal, 583
Existentialism is a philosophy which upholds freedom. Therefore, freedom shall become the major policy of its application. In the correlation with literary work,
existentialism provides a bifocal that can be used to obtain values which cannot be extorted by other philosophies. Existentialism provides a list of questions that is able
to accurately assail specified matter in an exceptional way. Therefore, freedom must be the ultimate policy that upholds the utilization of existentialism in the field of
literature. Accurate questions
must be constructed to explore the mystery of men’s existence. Men rarely see deeper to themselves. Therefore, constructing a perfect
question is highly important to help them understand the merit of curiosity. Kierkegaard is the example of an individual who utters accurate question towards his
life. Instead of asking about “what is Christian?” or “is there any historical evidence
about Christian? ” he asks himself a very personal question such as How do I become
a Christian?”
54
. He is the example of an individual whose curiosity puts him in the peak of his logic. Existentialism is the philosophy that tries to encourage men to
create such questions. Therefore, subjectivity and freedom need to be endorsed in the process of seeking men’s existence.
One of the most important things in existential philosophy is the originality of men’s idea. Sartre states that men are what they are willing to become. Therefore, it is
men’s obligation to maintain their subjectivity toward life. An individual possibly
54
H. W. Nordmeyer, “An Existentialist Approach to Literature”, The Modern Language Journal, 585
thinks that truth is based on major appointment. However, major existentialists believe that the truth resides in every single human being. Originated from
Kierkegaard, he states that “it does not matter what I believe to be true: what matters is only how I believe it. A false idol sincerely, fervently worshiped is worth more
than the true creed taken”
55
. It means that the truth is a custom conception built by individual’s mind. Truth shall not be based on others’ opinion.
As philosophical perspective, existential philosophy is free to seek its answer in the way it’s compatible. Thus, a guideline is still needed on the application.
Existential philosophy can be used as the bifocal to seek the truth behind the character. It can be used as the parameter to expose the intention of the writer in
writing such work. Existentialism is a men-centered-philosophy and it praises freedom of choice while, also, exposes man reality of pain and sorrow. It will be
reliable to be used as the spectacle s to see character’s problem. Writers’ problem can
also be discussed by this philosophy. Due to its versatility, existentialism can be applied in every angle of study to analyze literary work.
B. Review of Related Studies
This chapter contains previous studies related to other Dan Brow n’s novel
and other works that have been studied by using ideas of existentialism. It might not directly relate to the novel, but theoretical wise, such notions have been used by
some researcher. This chapter will mostly show other works of Dan Brown and other
55
H. W. Nordmeyer , “An Existentialist Approach to Literature”, The Modern Language Journal, 586
works from other authors that have been studied by using existential theory. Most of the sub-chapters are named after certain existential teaching in order to compile
several works that have the same theme in one section.
1. The Criticisms of Dan Brown’s Novel
Several criticisms have been made regarding Dan Brown’s novel. One of the novels that acquired most studies is TheDavinci Code. Terry Back is one of the
writers that focus on this novel. He writes Riddling TheDavinci Code. He considers this novel as more than just a thriller. He argues that this novel contains a lot of
information about history and conspiracy. He, furthermore, categorizes this novel as a record of nonfiction facts that has been written by many writers. Back states that
this novel was written based on previous works that have been recognized widely. This novel contains a major portion of Gothic Gospel. Back states that The Davinci
Code borrows a lot of material from Karen King, Marvin Mayer, Elaine Pagels, and Ben Witherington
56
. Another theme that is exposed in this novel is the mystery of Holy Grail.
Back states that such theme has been written in nonfiction form for a long time. This novel compiles view of the most reliable information about Holy Grail and uses it as
the basis of an appealing story; therefore, he states that this novel is more than just a thriller novel.
Back, furthermore, states that one of the most controversial ideas found in this novel is that Jesus and Marie Magdalene were lovers. He states that this idea is
56
Terry Back, “Riddling TheDavinci Code”, Reference User Services Quarterly 46.4 Summer, 2007:19.
mostly taken from the writing of Leloup on Jesus and Marie Magdalene
57
. Since this
idea is one the most controversial ideas in this novel, other prominent works are also used as the source of the story. Works from writers like Tau Malachi, Jean Markale,
and Jane Schaberg are used as the elements of the story. Another theme that is highlighted in this novel is the theme of secret
societies. This theme has been written by so many writers before and therefore Brown uses this idea as one of the elements of this novel. However, Back states that
the story in this novel is different from other writings that discuss the same theme. The accuracy of particular ideas and its mixture with fiction are the elements that
make this novel interesting. Back states that: The line that distinguishes fiction and nonfiction just simply wasnt
present for these readers, caught up as they were in the tantalizing mix of real and pretend that Brown created. Passion, emotion, and fervor
erupted from all sides, with books, television programs, and Web sites all promoting what each group perceived as true. At this point the
entertainment factor seemed to collide with reality and the controversy began
58
. The quality of this novel exhibits the thin line between fact and fiction.
According to Back, this point makes readers crave for more stories from Dan Brown. This paper is not discussing the quality of the novel or certain character in the novel,
but it merely states that the thin line between fact and fiction is the point that makes people crave and read this novel. This paper is the evidence of how Brown
beautifully elaborates fact and fiction, which at some point help this thesis to see Brown’s novel in a different perspective, it is more than just a pop novel.
57
T. Back, “Riddling TheDavinci Code”, Reference User Services Quarterly, 20
58
T. Back, “Riddling TheDavinci Code”, Reference User Services Quarterly, 19
