“Nihilism” comes from the Latin nihil, or nothing, which means not anything, that which does not exist. It appears in the verb “annihilate,” meaning to bring to nothing, to destroy completely. In Russia, nihilism became identified with a loosely organized revolutionary movement (C.1860-1917) that rejected the authority of the state, church, and family. Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy. While few philosophers would claim to be nihilists, nihilism is most often associated with Friedrich Nietzsche who argued that its corrosive effects would eventually destroy all moral, religious, and metaphysical convictions and precipitate the greatest crisis in human history,” as stated on http://www.iep.utm.edu/nihilism/. Throughout our readings it is evident that Nihilism contributes in each of our reading. The novel ‘Siddhartha’ written by Herman Hesse and ‘On Pain’ written by Ernst Junger both depict Nihilism in their own unique way. In the novel ‘Siddhartha’ his strategy of detachment may be analyzed using Nihilism. Ernst Junger makes statements in his novel ‘On Pain’ which depicts relationship to Nihilism.
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse explores various stages of development which are thoroughly outlined throughout the novel. Siddhartha was an individual who may be described as one in search of the meaning of his life exploring and using all the possibilities placed in front of him. Siddhartha may be referred to as a protagonist he is on a quest for enlightenment and tests the religious philosophies he comes in direct contact with. He is on a quest for knowledge using all individuals and what they offer him as a part of his contribution to success. The first stage which is described is when he made the decision to go on his quest. “But he, Siddhartha, was not a source of joy for himself; he found no delight in himself. Walking the rosy paths of the fig tree garden, sitting in the bluish shade of the grove of contemplation, washing his limbs daily in the bath of repentance, sacrificing in the dim shade of the mango forest, his gestures of perfect decency, everyone's love and joy, he still lacked all joy in his heart. Dreams and restless thoughts came into his mind, flowing from the water of the river, sparkling from the stars of the night, melting from the beams of the sun, dreams came to him and a restlessness of the soul, fuming from the sacrifices, breathing forth from the verses of the Rig-Veda, being infused into him, drop by drop, from the teachings of the old Brahmans. Siddhartha had started to nurse discontent in himself, he had started to feel that the love of his father and the love of his mother, and also the love of his friend, Govinda, would not bring him joy forever and ever, would not nurse him, feed him, and satisfy him. He had started to suspect that his venerable father and his other teachers, that the wise Brahmans had already revealed to him the most and best of their wisdom, that they had already filled his expecting vessel with their richness, and the vessel was not full, the spirit was not content, the soul was not calm, the heart was not satisfied.”
`Another part to his quest which taught him a valuable lesson was when he gave his garments to a homeless individual, “Siddhartha gave his garments to a poor Brahman in the street. He wore nothing more than the loincloth and the earth-colored, unsown cloak. He ate only once a day, and never something cooked. He fasted for fifteen days. He fasted for twenty-eight days. The flesh waned from his thighs and cheeks.” This quotation shows humility towards the less fortunate.
“When Siddhartha left the grove, where the Buddha, the perfected one, stayed behind, where Govinda stayed behind, then he felt that in this grove his past life also stayed behind and parted from him. He pondered about this sensation, which filled him completely, as he was slowly walking along. He pondered deeply, like diving into a deep water he let himself sink down to the ground of the sensation, down to the place where the causes lie, because to identify the causes, so it seemed to him, is the very essence of thinking, and by this alone sensations turn into realizations and are not lost, but become entities and start to emit like rays of light what is inside of them. Slowly walking along, Siddhartha pondered. He realized that he was no youth any more, but had turned into a man. He realized that one thing had left him, as a snake is left by its old skin, that one thing no longer existed in him, which had accompanied him throughout his youth and used to be a part of him: the wish to have teachers and to listen to teachings. He had also left the last teacher who had appeared on his path, even him, the highest and wisest teacher, the most holy one, Buddha, he had left him, had to part with him, was not able to accept his teachings.” In my opinion it is obvious that he started to lose faith and also start to question all his prior teachings, it can also be said that throughout his quest he started to thread the path of destruction, wanting to take his own life. This type of action is affiliated with Nihilism. He also became detached and became more aware of what was around him. I conclude that his temptation to commit suicide played a major role in his appreciation for his religious journey to enlightenment.
One thing that defines Nihilism is the historical sense of a radical break from the past. Jugner’s intention is to argue a way of overcoming pain, “Boredom is nothing other than the dissolution of pain in time,” (Junger p.13) this statement can relate to Nihilism because the dissolution of pain may vary it all depends how a particular individual decides to deal with their boredom for example it may lead to destructive actions.
“In a world full of inferior values, every order of greatness is dragged through the dirt, and the most extreme sphere of suffering…”
In conclusion it can be said Nihilism is dominant in many aspects throughout both novels. It plays vital role in both novels and both novels seem to depict detachment. Even though it is not in plain sight how Nihilism is depicted if analyzed it may seem dominant.
No comments:
Post a Comment