Discuss in Brief the Theme of Isolation in Nausea.

Answer

Discuss in brief the theme of isolation in Nausea.

Antoine Roquentin is the protagonist of the psychological novel Nausea (1938) by Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980). In this novel, he represents the most striking theme of isolation through the character of Roquentin. 

Physical Isolation: Roquentin lived in a rented house. He is doing historical studies. In Nausea, he realized the necessity of working to be connected to society. He lives alone. He has no family, no friends, and few acquaintances. Roquentin is in Café Mably, where everything is normal. But he feels alone and lonely,

I am alone in the midst of these happy, reasonable voices.

Emotional Isolation: He had a girlfriend whom he loved so much in the past. Her name is Anny. She is an English actress. She is obsessed with creating “perfect moments.” But they broke up their relationship about six years ago when the events of the story take place. They have not met, written letters, or talked to each other in about four years. Now, Roquentin feels very lonely and isolated.

The absurdity of Existence: Roquentin is involved in the writing project about the Marquis de Rollebon. Ultimately, he realizes that he is going to sacrifice his own existence. He states,

I no longer existed in myself, but in him; I ate for him, breathed for him.

As he is suffering from extreme loneliness, he can feel the loneliness of other people in his surroundings. Roquentin tries to cure his loneliness. So he is trying to renew his love relationship with his ex-girlfriend Anny. But when Anny rejects his love proposal again, Roquentin becomes totally broken from the inside. He has to return to his previous state of utter loneliness. At the end of the novel, isolation, and loneliness become his company forever.