Kundera's intentions as he develops Sabina's character (Chapter 4)

Through the definitions of ‘misunderstood words’ between Sabina and Franz, Kundera is able to introduce his own perceptions of the human condition of ‘being’ through the development of Sabina. Sabina is an important character in the novel, who is used to portray the ‘lightness’ of being, through her attributes and lifestyle. However through the passage, Kundera is able to explore the complexity of the concept of the human condition, through the conflicting ‘weight’, which is present in Sabina’s character.

In the passage following the ‘dictionary of misunderstood words’, Kundera focuses on Sabina’s life outside of Prague.

After her breakaway from Prague and the communist oppression, Sabina still maintains her connection to her home country through the ‘émigré’ meetings which she attends in Zurich. This depicts a ‘weighty’ influence. This depicts a ‘weight’ in her character, through her attempt to retain her ‘past life’ in Czechoslovakie and remember experiences, giving them significance. This is also reflected through Sabina’s betrayal of her country and fellow emigres during the meeting. The ‘long road of betrayals’ which define her life, are essential in depicting the fundamental ‘lightness’ of her character. However the reoccurance of these betrayals creates a motif to Sabina, which she sees as being the freedom of self to define the individual and escape from the conformism and oppression, ‘she would not keep ranks! she refused”.

This creates a paradox, as she discovers that ‘she would have to out an end to her betrayals’.

This creates a paradox, as her ‘betrayals’ are her rebellion agains society the complete rejection of ‘weight’ and ‘heaviness’, giving a lack of meaning in life, although the concept of ending her ‘road of betrayls’ is sorrowful, as her betrayal is recurring and has meaning, creating ‘weight’ and significance. This shows that the human condition is complex, as there is no single term which defines a persons psyche, and that despite ‘lightness’ of character, the idea of motifs in defining individuality in life, and the subjective meaning which they are associated to, showing a connection and importance, in concepts, in creating an indicidual. Also shown by their reoccurance which creates new meanings, introduces the concept of ‘weight’ in all life, emphesized by Nitschers theorem of eternal return.

However through the discussions at the meeting, Sabina realizes that the ‘essence of being Czech vanished into thin air’ due to the conflicting opinions of the emigres regarding their perceptions of their nation and their culture. This is explored by Kundera throught he repetition of the theme of ‘weakness’ and the concept of ‘vertigo’. The ‘only things that held them together were their defeats and the reproaches they addressed to one another’. This shows that the bond which connects all of the emigres outside of their country is the weakness of their contry and their own weaknesses, which forced them to leave. This concept of weakness is reflected by the character of Tereza who desires to be ‘among the weak’ and to be able to help ‘those weaker than herself’. Therefore drawing a parallel between the characters and nation, highlighting the fundamental weakness of human ‘being’.

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