The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays

Who is Kirilov from The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays and what is their importance?

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Kirilov is a character from Dostoevsky's "The Possessed" who embodies many of Camus' absurd principles. He rejects the existence of God and reasons that, if God does not exist, then he is totally free, since there is no God which is the cause of his destiny. Kirilov decides to commit suicide, but his decision is not totally out of line with absurd principles, since the reason is not to escape the meaninglessness of life—which, for Kirilov and Camus, is a good thing—but rather to be an example to others and show them true freedom.