Nausea

Novel | Jean-Paul Sartre
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When does an epiphany occur in Roquentin in “Nausea”?

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When does an epiphany occur in Roquentin in "Nausea"? [2020, 2016] ✪✪✪

Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–1980), in his novel “Nausea” (1938), presents the sudden spiritual awakening or epiphany of Antoine Roquentin. This realization comes when he truly understands the nature of existence. Through this moment, Sartre expresses his existential idea that life has no fixed meaning, and man must create his own.

Feeling of Nausea: Roquentin’s epiphany begins with his strange feelings toward objects. He feels disgusted by simple things like a stone or paper. He says,

 “The Nausea is not inside me: I feel it out there in the wall.” 

This exper
ience makes him realize that things simply exist without purpose. His Nausea is not illness but a vision that exposes the meaningless, heavy nature of being.

Revelation Under The Chestnut Tree: The true epiphany occurs when Roquentin sits under a chestnut tree. He suddenly feels the powerful presence of existence all around him. He writes, 

“Existence… must invade you suddenly, master you, weigh heavily on your heart.” 

This is the moment of pure awareness. He understands that existence is unnecessary, without reason or essence. This revelation changes his view of life forever.

Awakening Through Art: After this vision, Roquentin finds peace through music and art. Listening to his favorite song, he says, 

“I felt my body harden and the Nausea vanish.” 

He decides to write a novel to create meaning by himself. Through art, he turns his painful discovery into creative freedom.

In short, Roquentin’s epiphany happens under the chestnut tree. At that moment, he realizes the truth of existence—life has no meaning until man gives it one. Thus, Sartre shows awakening through awareness and creative choice.

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Jean-Paul Sartre
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