The Unbearable Lightness of Being

[katy]

"Teresa recalled the days of the invasion and the girls in miniskirts carrying flags on long staffs. Theirs was a sexual vengeance: the Russian soldiers had been kept in enforced celibacy for several long years and must have felt they had landed on a planet invented by a science fiction writer, a planet of stunning women who paraded their scorn on beautiful long legs the likes of which had not been seen in Russia for the past five or six centuries.".........

This is a passage from "Unbearable Lightness of Being" by Milan Kundera. How sad is that!....
What upsets me most is that I really do like the book. I think it is brilliant. But how could such a wonderful writer write such a nonsense?!
I sympasize with the author when he depicts nasty Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia: he has the right to be angry. But this awkward and ugly attempt just to offend the invader, to bite him cowardly drags Kundera several steps down.
I was told: "Don't take it so seriously: this is just another opinion. Everybody has the right to have his own opinion". That is true, but Milan Kundera is a writer and he must be careful with his opinions and do not present "just another opinion" as a fact.

Despite my disappointment, I recommend to read the book.

Katya

[John_G]

Hi Katya,

Are these the feelings of Milan Kundera or the character Teresa? It has been over 10 years since I read that book, however, this passage sounds like Teresa. The feeling of "Theirs was a sexual vengeance" and the following insult is the way Teresa hopes the girls are viewed. A complete fantasy that enpowers her being.

Isn't it the purpose of an author to create fictional characters with all the positive and negative human traits? And with the creation of opinionated characters it allows us to enter the story and like or dislike them. This might be why you feel the book is brilliant.

My favorite part, or the part that stuck with me all these years, is explaination of the difference between "pity" and "compassion".

John

[Buratino]

I only watched the movie. Is it close to the book?

[John_G]

Hi Buratino,

Yes, the movie does follow the book's events very well. However, the book is better; like most cases. The author's explainations are lost. Explainations of a character's feelings, a character's response to a situation and how it ties back to the lightness/weight opposition. And most of all, how the reader views each conflict. Which is negative lightness or weight? And, is it always negative?

I don't mean to trash the movie, I am not a film critic. The film received rave reviews and could not have been done any better (acting or directing). The depth it lacks might not convert well to film.

I agree with Katya, the book is worth reading.

[Buratino]

Thanks very much, I will try to find it then.

[katy]

Hi John
Your thoughts make sense and I am thankful to you for sharing...
But still (being as stubborn as anyone could possibly be haha), in answer to:

<Isn't it the purpose of an author to create fictional characters with all the positive and negative human traits? And with the creation of opinionated characters it allows us to enter the story and like or dislike them. >

Doesn't the author create his characters himself? Doesn't he breathe HIS fellings, thoughts, opinions into their souls to make them alive? Doesn't HE like or dislike them (to my personal opinion the author always likes all his creations no matter how bad they are)? And no matter how opinionated his characters are, aren't they the reflection of multiple author's opinions?
Through the whole book I could feel Cundera's pain talking through his characters. And I think that HE is a very bitter person which is quite a fault (maybe not?) for a writer.

Katya

[John_G]

Hi Katya,

Doesn't the author create his characters himself?
Yes.

Doesn't he breathe HIS fellings, thoughts, opinions into their souls to make them alive?
His or the feelings of others he knows or has known.

Doesn't HE like or dislike them (to my personal opinion the author always likes all his creations no matter how bad they are)?
I am not a writer, however, bad creations serve the purpose of creating a conflict. The author could actually like them for being bad, however, it does not always reflect his feelings. Think of the evil dragon, witch or ____ in a fairy tale/fantasy. Vengence for the weak or the underdog. Vengence like Teresa and her fantasy."the Russian soldiers had been kept in enforced celibacy for several long years and must have felt they had landed on a planet invented by a science fiction writer, a planet of stunning women who paraded their scorn on beautiful long legs the likes of which had not been seen in Russia for the past five or six centuries."......... How does she or Kundera know the soldiers had forced celibacy or even begin to know how they felt? What if some were gay? What if some just longed to return home to their beautiful wives and children or girlfriends? This whole parade would be annoying.

And no matter how opinionated his characters are, aren't they the reflection of multiple author's opinions?
Yes, or people he knows; or people he has created to show strength/weakness and prove a point of view. Maybe a person he wishes to be (ideal) or one who is completely negative.

Through the whole book I could feel Cundera's pain talking through his characters. And I think that HE is a very bitter person which is quite a fault (maybe not?) for a writer.
You feel his pain or joy (lightness/weight)and that might be why you called the book brilliant. Bitterness is a negative weight and marriage is a positive weight (unless it ends divorce); just my opinion (oops we are back to square one). Think of the weight Ernest Hemingway must of felt when he killed himself. Does brilliance mean an imbalance? It could; sometimes.

So, Your Stubborness (haha), we cannot interview Kundera and ask for an explaination. I do not view that passage as fact. As a man the passage reminds me of how a women might feel in that situation. Are Czech women always more attractive than Russian women? Steve knows; his is the only opinion that matters.

http://www.artobello.de/Kundera/
His biography could reinforce your opinion of his bitterness towards the USSR.

I like your web page. And congratulations to you and Steve.