Frankl references existentialism at various points in the book. Where do you see the influence of existentialist philosophy on logotherapy? Where does logotherapy differ?

What role does religious imagery play in Man’s Search for Meaning? Why might Frankl borrow imagery from religions outside of Judaism (e.g., Christianity)?

Choose three outside quotes that Frankl incorporates into his discussion and research their origins. How does this context influence your understanding of Frankl’s text?

Part 1 alternates between anecdotes about Frankl’s personal experiences and generalizations about life in the concentration camps. Discuss this choice in light of Frankl’s ideas about the universal and particular in human life.

Consider Frankl’s account of the prisoners’ liberation in light of his broader ideas about freedom. What does their reaction suggest about the nature of freedom?

Compare Man’s Search for Meaning to another piece of Holocaust literature, such as Elie Wiesel’s Night. How does the focus, style, and purpose of each work differ?

Frankl discusses several case studies in Part 2. How do these stories of patients add nuance to his claims?

Why might Frankl have chosen to describe his philosophy as one of “tragic optimism”? What does the term connote?