EXISTENTIALIST ANALYSIS OF THE BENGAL TIGER AND THE BAGHDAD ZOO BY RAJIV JOSEPH

Abstract

This study explores existentialism—focusing on themes such as absurdity, existential anxiety, and individual freedom—to provide a framework for interpreting literature. Specifically, it applies existentialism to analyze The Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo by Rajiv Joseph through close reading and critical analysis methodologies. The analysis highlights human suffering and the individual struggle to find meaning, as depicted in the characters of Tiger and Musa. Tiger spends his days staring at the bars of his cage, symbolizing the existential search for purpose within life's figurative "cage." Similarly, Musa’s experiences reflect the ongoing quest for meaning amidst the chaos of the Iraq War. The play captures the absurdity of existence, illustrated through Tiger’s realization of his captivity and the universal human yearning for answers. The study concludes that the play’s central characters grapple with suffering and the search for purpose, even after death. Tiger personifies the human condition, embodying the existential struggle for meaning and freedom.