His overriding life necessity was not love, it was his profession…He had come to medicine not by coincidence or calculation but by a deep inner desire. Insofar as it is possible to divide people into categories, the surest criterion is the deep-seated desires that orient them to one or another lifelong activity. Every Frenchman is different. But all the actors the world over are similar.
The protagonist's primary driving force is not romantic love but his commitment to his profession as a doctor. This choice stems from a profound internal urge rather than mere chance or rational decision-making. His dedication to medicine highlights a fundamental distinction in people's motivations and how these motivations shape their life paths.
Kundera suggests that individuals can be categorized by their deep-seated desires. While people may differ greatly across cultures, those drawn to specific professions, like acting, often share common aspirations and attributes. This exploration of the relationship between desire and personal identity reveals universal themes in human motivation and purpose.
