"Thus Spake Zarathustra", by Friedrich Nietzche, is an example of excellent writing. Nietzche puts his own philosophy and poetry into the mouth of the Persian philosopher Zarathustra, as he wanders a fictional countryside, considering what he sees and attempting to impart wisdom to the people he meets.
While Nietzche fulminates against the 'slave morality' of Christianity and declares that "God is dead", it is clear that the main thrust of his anger is aimed at aspects of Christianity (so-called) that most Mormons would also reject and regard as apostate. The worthwhile aspects of his philosophy are beautifully conveyed, and I suspect that he speaks through a "prophet" so that he can be unafraid of lofty and poetic language.
"Companions, the creator seeks; not corpses, not herds and believers. Fellow creators, the creator seeks -- those who write new values on new tablets. Companions, the creator seeks, and fellow harvesters; for everything about him is ripe for the harvest."
"Intoxicating joy is it for the sufferer to look away from his suffering and forget himself."
"What is great in man is that he is a bridge and not a goal: what is lovable in man is that he is an over-going and a down-going."
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I absolutely love books about human nature. When you are part of the discovery and adventure of a character book it makes it mean so much more. You see what he sees and have to try understand why He acts the way he does. It lets you as a reader be so much more involved.
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ReplyDeleteWhoops, sorry! Don't know what happened up there.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, again: Nietzche really has some of the most thought-provoking quotes out there. I haven't read "Thus Spake Zarathustra" myself, but think I'd better - existential philosophy is pretty interesting (assuming this work is existential; Nietzche tends to jump around a bit!).
Interesting music trivia:
ReplyDeleteThe composer Richard Struass was so moved by Nietzche's book that he wrote a symphony inspired by it: "Also Sprach Zarathustra" (Original German.)
It's better known today as the 2001: A Space Odyssey theme.
It also has a freaking awesome trombone part.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWnmCu3U09w
One of the most enjoyable things about this book was getting to know the author through it, and having a silent argument with him as I read. I think the best books are semi-autobiographical.
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