If the purpose of life revolves around kitsch, life will forever be immersed, trapped, by excrement. In The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera blatantly condemns individuals who adhere to kitschiness - especially those involved in politics, specifically the Communist movement relevant of the time. Blue. Sky. Franz. Kitsch. The latter relates to the former as both allude to statements that are factual assertions; undoubtedly true. Milan delves in the conceptualization of kitsch (most notably in Part Six of the novel, “The Grand March,”) and does so through his emphasis on Franz’s characterization. Milan portrayed Franz as a dreamer; a romanticizer of war - longing for political feuds in order to engage in political activism and rebellion. “He yearned to step out of his life... for real life, for the touch of people walking side by side with him, for their shouts” (Kundera 99-100). Franz perceived his life as unadulterated and bland - “unreal life.” Since he had not experienced extreme first-hand (political) trials and tribulations, Franz deemed his life boring and somewhat
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She represented a troubled political system; she embodied his ideal life. According to Kundera, Franz therefore belongs to the fourth category of people: those “...who live in the imaginary eyes [nonpresent beings]. They are the dreamers” (270). His allure for Sabina (or rather, Sabina’s life) encouraged Franz to participate in the demonstration at Cambodia. In fact, everything he did from the moment he confirmed his trip to Cambodia was driven by Sabina’s spirit; at least, this is what Franz wanted to believe. It was not until he personally witnessed and experienced defeat from kitsch that he became cognisant of real life, especially life’s evils; but, of course, the epiphany was too late, for he no longer had the the ability to share, or caution, about perilous
She represented a troubled political system; she embodied his ideal life. According to Kundera, Franz therefore belongs to the fourth category of people: those “...who live in the imaginary eyes [nonpresent beings]. They are the dreamers” (270). His allure for Sabina (or rather, Sabina’s life) encouraged Franz to participate in the demonstration at Cambodia. In fact, everything he did from the moment he confirmed his trip to Cambodia was driven by Sabina’s spirit; at least, this is what Franz wanted to believe. It was not until he personally witnessed and experienced defeat from kitsch that he became cognisant of real life, especially life’s evils; but, of course, the epiphany was too late, for he no longer had the the ability to share, or caution, about perilous