Jean-Paul Sartre's Nausea is widely considered one of the century’s most important philosophical works. The novel, published in 1938, is a greatly symbolic account of what Sartre called "existential angst" — a pervasive sense of dread and hopelessness. Through the experiences of its protagonist, Antoine Roquentin, Sartre explores the personal struggle of navigating an absurd universe that provides no meaning or structure.
The novel is narrated in the first person by Roquentin, an aimless, philosophical 29-year-old man who lives in the small French town of Bouville. The story begins with Roquentin rambling alone in the town park, seemingly at odds with the world. He describes himself as having grown apart from the world around him, observing strange events as though they were a vivid dream. At times he finds himself feeling as though he is floundering, merely existing while waiting for something to happen.
What follows is a psychological journey of Roquentin's descent into existential despair and ultimately a stirring revelation of the human condition. Roquentin discovers the source of his fear in the very thing that is meant to give life meaning—time. Slowly, he recognizes that time is a merciless cycle beyond his control. This discovery triggers a feeling of nausea, a sensation of depressing emptiness that he cannot shake. Roquentin realizes that the only way to exist in such an absurd world is to generate his own meaning, which is something he is uncertain he is capable of doing.
The novel is filled with moments of deep reflection, musings on the absurdity of humanity’s existence. Roquentin ultimately learns to accept the absurdity of life and come to terms with his own insignificance. He decides to "make himself at home in the void" and turn his back on the world. His epiphany is that meaning is something each individual must create for themselves. In Roquentin's words: “When you realize that everything is ridiculous, existence is neither ridiculous nor dignified; it is simply what it is.”
With his exploration of individual freedom, alienation, and purpose in life, Jean-Paul Sartre set the stage for existentialism. Inspired by these themes, philosophers from Camus to Heidegger drew from Sartre’s ideas to craft their own schools of thought. Nausea offers readers a unique insight into several aspects of human experience, including our search for validation, the futility of clinging to the past, and our relation to time. In the end, Sartre's novel stands as a beacon of hope that in an uncertain, confusing world, one can still create value and lead a meaningful life.
