Zorba's Joy (Zorba the Greek)

Confucius says: “Many seek happiness higher than man; others beneath him. But happiness is the same height as man.” –p. 91

If Zorba were a symbol of a truly happy man, which seems to be at times, then this statement is clearly false in the context of this novel. This quote means that happiness cannot be found simply by searching for a higher power; religion does not directly bring happiness. It also means that contentment is not found in the material world, either. Rather, one attains elation from other people. When people form relationships and friendships with others, it is only then that people will know true happiness. In Zorba the Greek, however, Zorba is always the most joyful

Since he lives as if he was going to die any minute, he must live as if each experience is his last. The grandfather, though, could more easily identify with Confucius’ philosophy. The grandfather has a family, obligations and personal ties. If he lived as if he was going to die any minute, there would be no reason to establish those commitments. But those commitments make him feel as if he made a difference in the world, rather than leeching off the Earth without providing anything, as some may argue Zorba does. Many of the grandfather’s commitments, such as his family, possible business, and local friendships, involve people, so he will want to believe that connections with those people bring happiness more so than objects.

In most stories, a character like Zorba would come to realize his “sins” and they would either be punished or change their ways. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian Gray led a life of sin and materialism, and because of this he had to die in the end. Similarly, at one point in Siddhartha, Siddhartha becomes extremely depressed when he realizes the material life he had been living, and changes his ways. However, in Zorba the Greek, Zorba leaves the story in just as jovial a mood as the beginning. The difference in Zorba the Greek is that Zorba can control his desires for these things to some extent. He is able to control his life because of his undying enthusiasm for even the everyday experiences. In other stories, those who are portrayed to have tendencies to become materialistic seem to become ravenous whenever they give in to their wants. And since Zorba is the protagonist of the story and is depicted as a prophet of sorts (a good example of this was in the coal mine, when Zorba warned the other miners that it was about to collap

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