Here is a video about Frederick Nietzsche and nihilism. For Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy, there seems—from the reader's perspective—no hope; their probably-false ideas about deferrals and possibles are merely distractions from the pressing nature of their fate. However, the characters do not descend into despair. Nihilism is a state where one believes that life is meaningless. Nietzsche says that once one realizes that "God is dead" (meaning religion—particularly Christianity—is not morally legitimate), one goes into nihilism. Religion in the case of Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy can be equated to the "lie" told to them (and not told to them) by Hailsham as an institution. Had Ms. Lucy not blurted out, the clones might have been kept in the dark even longer. When they finally discover the truth, they are—per the metaphor—seeing religion for what it is. Thus, the characters should ostensibly become nihilistic. There are certainly instances where this seems to be the case; Ruth's outburst about being fashioned from social filth is an example. However, the overarching movement is one OUT of nihilism. The characters give their lives meaning even if their lives don't have any intrinsic meaning. This manifests itself as hope and is shown by Tommy's hypothesis about art and deferrals as well as by Kathy's cassette tape. Nietzsche is opposed to nihilism. While he posits that life may not have any inherent meaning (given that he denounces God), he believes that one has to live life to the fullest to be fulfilled. The characters' way of living life is to give themselves hope, even if it is ultimately an illusion.
Then in the context of the novel, would ignorance and nihilism be opposites? I suppose they can't be, as the concept of opposites is contingent on absolutism, which is at least an oversimplification, if not a ubiquitous falsehood (which is an absolutism itself; that is amusingly paradoxical). Speaking of paradoxes, that is precisely what you are talking about above, right? If there is inherently no meaning in life since God does not exist (also, neither does free will), but meaning can be gained by the presence of hope according to Nietzche, that is incongruous. So I guess the question is whether false hope is still worthwhile or, regarding NLMG, in an existence that is a pale reflection of another, and one with not even an illusion of free will, in which the natural progression would seemingly inevitably lead to nihilism, is that a life worth living, or even a life at all?
ReplyDeleteMaybe we, metaphorically speaking, are just clones, as our lives in the end are ultimately meaningless as well. Eventually, our work is eaten up by the sun with no evidence, and before that any legacy we had will likely die off due to climate change. That to me is all the more reason to celebrate life, as it is so short in the grand scheme of things, and that might be why these characters are so determined to live their lives to the fullest, going on roadtrips, and trying to exercise their free will.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great connection between the perspective donors may have towards life, as influenced by awareness of their predetermined deaths, and the ideology that nihilism can ensue upon those who choose to embrace this state of belief. It's interesting how nihilism views creativity, love, and anything one does in life as meaningless. This doctrine contradicts the promotion of art at the institution of Hailsham, which the guardians impose on students with controversial intentions. Do donors reject the significance of life, or are they unaware that life can have meaning beyond their limited purpose? This can also pose a question: is it more humane for Hailsham to foster appreciation for abstract expression, or to ignore this completely in compliance to the philosophy of nihilism? Donors try to find satisfaction within their life through personalized means, despite being mostly incapable of achieving self-actualization due to their predestined fate. Through relationships, art, and exploration is how donors attempt to fulfill their lives; for nihilism to strip these attributes of importance is to take away all that these characters have to make purpose of their relatively short existences. While it may arguably be more inhumane, I believe donors must reject nihilism to find any sustenance in their individuality.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great connection between the perspective donors may have towards life, as influenced by awareness of their predetermined deaths, and the ideology that nihilism can ensue upon those who choose to embrace this state of belief. It's interesting how nihilism views creativity, love, and anything one does in life as meaningless. This doctrine contradicts the promotion of art at the institution of Hailsham, which the guardians impose on students with controversial intentions. Do donors reject the significance of life, or are they unaware that life can have meaning beyond their limited purpose? This can also pose a question: is it more humane for Hailsham to foster appreciation for abstract expression, or to ignore this completely in compliance to the philosophy of nihilism? Donors try to find satisfaction within their life through personalized means, despite being mostly incapable of achieving self-actualization due to their predestined fate. Through relationships, art, and exploration is how donors attempt to fulfill their lives; for nihilism to strip these attributes of importance is to take away all that these characters have to make purpose of their relatively short existences. While it may arguably be more inhumane, I believe donors must reject nihilism to find any sustenance in their individuality.
ReplyDelete