Nausea : Literary devices

Nausea is a notable literary work by Jean-Paul Sartre. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Nausea.

Literary devices

Symbols/Symbolism:

Nausea: The feeling of nausea is a symbol of Roquentin’s realization that life has no meaning. It shows his discomfort with existence.
The Stone: When Roquentin picks up a stone and feels sick, the stone symbolizes how objects, and life itself, can feel meaningless and strange to him.
The Sea: The sea represents the vast and empty nature of existence. Roquentin feels lost when he looks at the sea, just like he feels lost in life.
The Diary: Roquentin’s diary symbolizes his attempt to understand his life and himself. It’s his way of trying to find meaning.
The Portraits: The portraits in the museum represent people who lived with a sense of purpose, which makes Roquentin feel even more disconnected from his own life.

Figures of Speech:

Metaphor: Sartre uses metaphors, like “nausea,” to explain Roquentin’s deep feelings about life.
Symbolism: Some things in the book, like the stone and the sea, stand for deeper ideas, like the emptiness of life.

Moral Lesson: