Voltaire and Story of a Good Brahmin
According to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, the word "Brahmin" is defined as "a Hindu state of the highest caste traditionally assigned to the priesthood" (Mish, 149). This means that a good Brahmin is at the highest level of enlightenment within the Hindu social system. One would think this state of being would be an accomplishment and would bring about happiness and peace. This paper explores on many levels Voltaire's Story of a Good Brahmin found in many of his collected works.
Upon reading the text, it appears that despite the good Brahmin's path to Nirvana, he also has a dilemma in life. It appears he has spent too many years pondering the big questions in life, with no one to listen to him and he feels this plight has made him miserable. This state of being brings up many questions for the reader. Should he have been born? Are there solutions to this paradox? His dilemma is not as simplistic as it seems. His misery creates a deeper thought process. Does he not value his path in life? Does he not value the knowledge he creates? Or is he just feeling sorry for himself? This question can be asked because as much as he is miserable in his superior status, he refuses to trade places with a neighbor woman of a lower caste. Is there an applicable solution to his problem or is the good Brahmin cursed to ponder the big questions forever? The paragraphs below will explore answers to the above questions.
The Dilemma
The essence of Voltaire's story begins with the concept of comparisons. Everyone is guilty of it at one time or another. It is part of the human condition and awareness one experiences everyday. Voltaire must have known the reaction such a story would get in society because the Brahmin's dilemma brings to mind two...
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