It is completely selfless love: Tereza did not want anything of Karenin; She did not ever ask him to love her back. Nor has she ever asked herself the questions that plague human couples: Does he love me? Does he love anybody more than me? Does he love me more than I love him? Perhaps all the questions we ask of love, to measure, test, probe, and save it, have the additional effect of cutting it short. Perhaps the reason we are unable to love is that we yearn to be loved, that is, we demand something {love} from our partner instead of delivering ourselves to him demand-free and asking for nothing but his company.
The concept of selfless love is beautifully illustrated through Tereza’s relationship with Karenin, the dog. Tereza embodies a love that is devoid of expectation, never seeking anything in return or questioning her worth in relation to her partner. This perspective contrasts sharply with the typical human experience of love, which is often riddled with doubts and insecurities about reciprocity and importance.
This selflessness suggests that many of the anxieties surrounding love stem from our desire to be loved rather than simply giving love freely. The act of measuring love through demands and expectations can lead to its deterioration, as true connection occurs when one offers love without strings attached, focusing only on the joy of companionship. Kundera's exploration reveals that when love is unencumbered by need, it flourishes in its purest form.
