Analysis
The protagonist (a shoemaker) concludes his observations by saying: "The salvation of our fatherland is left to us craftmen and tradespeople, but we are not equal to such a task, nor indeed have we ever claimed to be capable of it. This is a misunderstanding, and it is proving the ruin of us." This is a kafkaesque scenario, where the protagonist faces unimaginable challenges from society. A similar situation takes place in "A Country Doctor", where the protagonist, a doctor, faces the unyielding challenge of curing a patient who's about to die.
Read more about this topic: An Old Manuscript
Famous quotes containing the word analysis:
“Analysis as an instrument of enlightenment and civilization is good, in so far as it shatters absurd convictions, acts as a solvent upon natural prejudices, and undermines authority; good, in other words, in that it sets free, refines, humanizes, makes slaves ripe for freedom. But it is bad, very bad, in so far as it stands in the way of action, cannot shape the vital forces, maims life at its roots. Analysis can be a very unappetizing affair, as much so as death.”
—Thomas Mann (1875–1955)