In both of the stories we read this week (The Dead and The Kiss)the theme of existentialism permeates the situations. Both represent examples of characters who are in awkward social situations and who are thwarted by women who dominate their imaginations. In our conversation today, we discussed how existentialism at least acknowledges the futility of life when we seek superficial happiness. This contrasts other periods of literary history such as romanticism and transcendentalism. How did these stories resonate or not with you? What do you think the author's purpose was in writing them?