Embracing one\u2019s misery as fatalism is not what these two philosophies try to get across in their sentiment. They\u2019re actually promoting a more upbeat sentiment.<\/p>\n
![\"Prince](\"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/550px-The_Body_of_the_Dead_Christ_in_the_Tomb_and_a_detail_by_Hans_Holbein_the_Younger.jpg\")
<\/a>Prince Myshkin of the “Idiot” by Dostoyevsky is the only character in the book who has actually seen the original of this Hans Holbein’s painting , as well as the copy: “I suddenly called to mind a picture I had noticed at Rogozhin\u2019s… *\/ (See the note below).<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cLife is suffering\u201d generally refers to acceptance of a normal truth to life. Things aren\u2019t always positive. Stress, disappointments, and annoyances — great and small — exist in all people\u2019s lives. You can\u2019t live life without having a bad day or week at some point. So accept it. Once you accept the inevitable nature of suffering, the shock of a less-than-desirable day won\u2019t always impact you as hard. Embracing an acceptance of the occasional \u201cno good miserable day\u201d diminishes its shock effect. You deal with things better when you know they are coming. Refusing to accept the universal truth about life\u2019s less-than-perfect construct leads to shock and anger when troubles arise. <\/p>\n
(Film fans might not run out of shocks when watching Notes from the New World<\/strong>.)<\/p>\n In Dostoevsky\u2019s existential theorizing about the value of suffering and pain, we see a peripheral connection between existentialism and Zen theory. \u201cLife is suffering\u201d extends to \u201cLife needs suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n Suffering proves someone is alive. Once you aren\u2019t suffering or putting yourself into positions in which you can experience setbacks and disappointments, you likely live a sad, limited existence. Albert Camus\u2019 existential masterpiece The Stranger<\/strong><\/em> put forth the notion \u201cNo man is an island unto himself\u201d since humans must interact with others. Of course, The Stranger<\/strong><\/em> did everything he could to avoid interactions with others — to his own miserable embrace of a lonely existence.<\/p>\n The Narrator of Notes from the Underground<\/em><\/strong> shares the dark outlook on life as The Stranger’s\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>hero and both do embrace the simple truth of “Life is suffering.” People do maintain a refusal to accept suffering as an important — almost welcome — part of their existence. So their suffering really does make them suffer.<\/p>\n Please check VM Productions’<\/a> movie\u00a0 Notes from the New World<\/a><\/strong><\/em> inspired by Notes from the Underground<\/em><\/p>\n ——<\/p>\n *\/I suddenly called to mind a picture I had noticed at Rogozhin\u2019s in one of his gloomiest rooms, over the door. He had pointed it out to me himself as we walked past it, and I believe I must have stood a good five minutes in front of it. There was nothing artistic about it, but the picture made me feel strangely uncomfortable.<\/em><\/p>\n Edited & images: VM Productions<\/a><\/p>\n Want to know about VM Productions’ Dostoyevsky-Los Angeles Project<\/em> and about the films we make? Want to participate in our projects? Sign up to get tickets to the premiere of our movie (currently in post production), <\/strong>Dostoyevsky Reimagined-BTS<\/strong><\/em> and <\/strong><\/p>\n grab our\u00a0 FREE e-books !<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n