"The Unbearable Lightness of Being"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how in Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being", the loving role of animals highlights the simple yet solid relationship between humans and their pets. It looks at how Kundera's novel is a critique of human's lack of self-control in contrast to animals who behave like humans should: caring and loyal.

From the Paper:

"The dog's name, Karenin, is not a random appellation, but carries its own meaning within the novel. Tomas names the dog after Anna Karenina's husband, thus hinting at the book which Tereza was reading when she arrived at his doorstep. The female dog is given a male name because she metaphorically becomes a masculine man: "No woman could possibly have so funny a face. It's much more like Karenin. Yes, Anna's husband. That's just how I've always pictured him" (Kundera 24). By giving the dog the "husband's" name, Tomas exploits Karenin as a replacement for his lack of love for Tereza. In addition, Tomas wants "the name to be a clear indication that the dog was Tereza's;" (Kundera 24) in order to highlight that the dog's only purpose in life is to make Tereza happy. Tomas hopes Karenin will develop lesbian tendencies towards Tereza if "addressed continually by a male name" (Kundera 24) and Tereza will not mind his affairs. Tereza does not care about Tomas's relationship with other women because she has Karenin's love. In the end, Karenin replaces Tomas's void of love for Tereza by simply giving his time and attention."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Kundera, Milan. The Unbearable Lightness of Being. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc, 1984.

More papers on "The Unbearable Lightness of Being":

• Analytical Essay # 9918 : "The Unbearable Lightness of Being"
• Book Review # 107316 : "Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being"
• Analytical Essay # 66101 : "The Unbearable Lightness of Being"

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