The Unbearable Lightness Of Being And A Gentleman In Moscow Essay

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The objective of this essay is to explore the origins of conflicts in Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being and Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow. Although, both works differ drastically in tone and structure, the settings are comprised of similar elements. Still, the external effects of these tumultuous settings pale in comparison to the internal conflicts which ensue. As the reader accompanies the protagonists through their lives made of crucial decisions, the philosophical depth in both works becomes apparent. With each choice made in light of its consequences the characters come closer to realizing their true selves. This led to the research question: How do Kundera and Towles utilize individual and cultural struggles with identity to …show more content…
But such a classification negates the presence of philosophical themes within the novels, which continue to make the study of such works relevant. Despite the specificity of the crisis faced by two distinct casts of characters, the commonalities are equally striking. Both protagonists grapple with life’s ultimate question--how to live meaningfully--not only in a conceptual sense, but in a practical one, which prompts even more reflection. As a result, conflict emerges in both works as characters struggle to control their own identities, the identities of those around them, and their cultural identity. For the Count, acceptance of his own identity and self-realization occurs within hours of his confinement, and his love of both Sofia and his Russian heritage is unconditional. For Tomas and Tereza, however, these matters are not resolved until hours before their deaths. Thus, in The Unbearable Lightness of Being tension is built from attempting to change one's identity, while in A Gentleman in Moscow, it is from resistance to change. These three characters undeniably live lives of great hardship, which serves to extentuate the meaning and importance which they have found in life as it is through conflict, that they take ownership of their lives. Additionally, in the process of resolving such conflicts, the characters develop and embrace their own identities. Man does not have the ability to choice whether or not to suffer as pain is unavoidable in life. However, depths of an individual’s character are revealed when he chooses to suffer not only to survive, but to truly

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