Short Stories

The Judicial Executioner-by Emma Fleuette

A judicial executioner named Jude begins a procedure just like he would with any other- until something very out of the ordinary happens.  What occurs has a lasting impact on his, and the patient’s lives. When things finally settle down, another game-changer happens to cause Jude to question every belief he’s ever had. In a surprising plot twist, Jude begins to see the existentialist point of view.

The Scene of the Crime; Reflections on Absurdity-by Kathleen Foley

In this short story which depicts Mersault’s arrest, aspects of existentialism such as absolute systems, absurdity, and individuality are shown. After killing the Arab, Mersault reflects on his actions which led to the life changing event and realizes the absurdity of his crime. During his arrest, the idea behind what makes something important or how people’s reactions affect the meaning behind actions are shown and Mersault questions what will happen in his life or what could have. Based on how the arrest plays out, the idea of individuality and how to create meaning is demonstrated.