Analyzing Mysteries in Shafak’s The Forty Rules of Love: An Existentialist Study

Author(s) : Fatima Hafeez & Dr. Shahid Abbas

Abstract:

Abstract
The focus of the research study is to analyze the concept of existentialism in Shafak’s The Forty Rules of Love (2009), for in this piece of literature the characters are found in search of meaning of life. This research aims at unveiling the search of meaning in one’s life and applies Existentialism to elucidate the burden of hardships and sense of betrayal in a person’s life. It also deals with the plight of modern man in Kierkegaard’s existential perspective as it is suitable for achieving the proposed research objectives. It also highlights the lives of the people who face existential angst in their lives. This novel shows Kierkegaard’s conception of leap of faith as it enables the characters of the novel to find meaning in their lives. This research concludes that the characters stuffer from existential angst but as long they do not take some decisions by making some choices and taking a leap of faith, they are unable to add essence in their lives and understand true meaning of their existence. This self-recognition not only helps them to find meaning in their lives but also happiness which it results in.
Keywords: Existentialism, Leap of faith, Meaninglessness, Mystery, Existential Angst