The Need for Belonging
As the only self-conscious beings, humans have the unique position of questioning, and ultimately defining, reality for ourselves. We construct different levels of reality to the point that some, such as emotional reality, exist entirely in a realm within our own minds. It is this self-awareness that separates us from all other life, yet at the same time reinforces the complete isolation only a sentient could know. Perhaps this is why, above all others, the question of our purpose is universal, essential, and eternal. Literature has proved to be a useful barometer for capturing the prevailing public sentiment of the day toward this existential dilemma. As such, we will study three literary works (Candide, The Metamorphosis, and The Death of Ivan Ilyich) , and the respective context of each, in hopes of finding, if not an answer, at least a better understanding of man’s changed perception towards our place over time. Voltaire’s Candide is a satire against some aspects of the popular movement of his day, the Enlightenment. According to this view, the world, and consequently man’s purpose in it, is a vast, infinitely complex machine whose design can be deciphered by God alone. In response, we have a choice: accept fai
Some topics in this essay:
Ivan Ilyich, Enlightenment According, Tolstoy Kafka, Voltaire Candide, , Kafka Metamorphosis, Voltaire’s Candide, death ivan, death ivan ilyich, Death Ivan, meaning life, realism tolstoy, ivan ilyich, family friends,
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Approximate Word count = 953
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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