Fred’s Absurdism

Interesting thought, Connor-- we have looked at this quote in some other contexts, but not really with regard to absurdism.

I do feel like Fred encounters absurdism in this moment, especially in noting things like hopelessness, meaninglessness, irremediable frailty, and overwhelmedness. But to me the more shallow/apparent mentions are Fred's interactions with the material objects that he steals from the various basements.

For instance, when Fred steals a ton of money but then uses said greenbacks to wallpaper his cave, it's really some sharp commentary on the value of money and the sort of thing we chase after. Ditto with the gun (which he just shoots inside the cave for no reason) and the jewels he strews about the cave floor. In the context of the above ground, these things are dangerous and valuable enough that people will steal and kill for them. But in the context of the below ground and the cave, they're worthless.

One other thing to mention while we're on the concept of the absurd is Fred's race, which is salient and operative while he's above ground, but it doesn't matter what race he is when he's underground (and indeed, he's often invisible, not only because there's no one there to see him, but because it's so dark that no one could see even if someone were there.

Money, jewelry, race.... all so absurd!