In Milan Kunderas novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being a major theme is the delusions of words, ideas and there meaning. The characters in the novel believe what they want and often look past the truth. Many words and ideas are interpreted differently and have unique meanings to each individual. They come up with their own conclusions based on their beliefs and experiences. Three examples of this are fidelity and betrayal, politics and lightness verses weight. Each idea is explored and the conclusions are different based on the character.
The two characters in the novel that are associated with fidelity and betrayal are Franz and Sabina. They both have completely different outlooks on what they believe in and whom they link each with. When Franz thinks of fidelity he thinks about his relationship with his mother, on the other hand Franz associates betrayal with her father. Franz respects fidelity while Sabina finds betrayal interesting. Franz talks about fidelity in terms of his relationship with his mother. Franz loved his mother until the day she died and her memories will continue to be with him. They had a very healthy and positive relationship. The author says, That is what made him feel that fidelity deserved pride of place among the other virtues(Kundera 91). His relationship with his mother made him believe in fidelity and respect it. He placed it among the most important things in his life. Fidelity meant being loyal and doing what he was supposed to do. He attempted to relay this message to Sabina, Franz often spoke about his mother to Sabina(Kundera 91). He wanted to show Sabina how he could by loyal, with hopes of winning her over.
Sabina was not influenced by what Franz had to say. She was charmed more by betrayal than by fidelity(Kundera 91). Fidelity was not an essential part of her life and betrayal was. When Franz would bring up fidelity, it reminded her of her father(Kundera 91). Her father often didnt trust her as a child, especially with boys. He disallowed her from seeing boys and instead made her draw. Drawing became her true passion. When she went off to Prague after completing school, at last she could betray her home(Kundera 91). She had always wanted to go off on her own and follow her dreams. She would be free from her fathers rule and on her own for the first time. She had always been told Betrayal means breaking ranks and going off into the unknown, and thats what she had always dreamed of doing. (Kundera 91) When she got the opportunity for betrayal, she took it and never looked back. She had always wanted to rule her own live and discover new things, which was defined as betrayal in her life. Franzs life was based on fidelity, which meant being loyal, and Sabinas life was all about betrayal, or doing her own thing and exploring the unknown.
In the novel politics are used as a background and defined in simple terms. The three main characters that are connected with politics are Sabina, Tomas and Tereza. They all recognize and come to identify one of Kundera's most important ideas, that all radical political parties and ideas are essentially the same. Sabina recognizes this on an artistic level, She would have liked to tell them that behind Communism, Fascism, behind all occupations and invasions lurks a more basic, pervasive evil and that the image of evil was a parade of people marching by with raised fists ad shouting identical syllables in unison(Kundera 100). She realizes that Communists, Fascists and the extremely religious all utilize sentimentalist kitsch, such as bad art and propaganda. She does not like that type of art and with her artistic background she understands it. She likes to have her own opinion and not one universal voice.
Tomas writes an anti-Czech Communist article that is very controversial and puts him in danger. Then when both the Czech regime and rebel groups pursue him and want him to sign a petition, he comes to his realization. Tomas would like to avoid political parties and society altogether in favor of being a free agent and independent thinker who acts as he chooses. He realizes that both groups plan to use and misrepresent his words. They want him to sign something that he didnt write and doesnt believe in.
Tereza is originally tempted by protester glamour. She later understands on an intuitive level that all political parties are anti-individualistic and would deny her privacy. None of these three characters, by the end of the novel, would be comfortable participating in a march or rally, and hence all could be identified as apolitical.
Lightness and weight are both defined and associated with certain characters in the novel. Lightness is usually looked upon as being positive, on the other hand weight is usually negative. Accepting the lightness of being means accepting a certain lack of ultimate meaning in life, and living for temporary beauty. Those who accept lightness are not likely to connect themselves to political parties. Both Tomas and Sabina are characterized by lightness. Sabina is the more extreme example as she consistently refuses to be tied down. Tomas is a less extreme example because ultimately he returns to Tereza and Prague.
Heaviness is associated with the idea of eternal return. Kundera does not believe eternal return exists. He argues that people only have the opportunity to attempt thins once and therefore they have no sense of comparison or meaning. The characters that are heavy cannot accept this unbearable lightness of being. They seek to attach a meaning or weight to what they believe in has value in life. Tereza and Franz can both be considered heavy characters. Tereza is very emotional and has trouble dealing with difficulties in her life. She cannot cope with the lightness around her, including Tomas, and is nearly driven insane. Franz interprets all the events of his life. He creates meaning in his life by attaching solemn weight and importance to concepts and events. He enjoys marches and protests and lives for the strong emotions of love and politics.
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