Just imagine living in a world without mirrors. You'd dream about your face and imagine it as an outer reflection of what is inside you. And then, when you reached forty, someone put a mirror before you for the first time in your life. Imagine your fright! You'd see the face of a stranger. And you'd know quite clearly what you are unable to grasp: your face is not you.
In a hypothetical scenario where mirrors do not exist, individuals would construct their self-image solely from inner thoughts and feelings, envisioning their faces as true extensions of their personalities. Upon reaching middle age, encountering a mirror for the first time would evoke shock and confusion. This sudden glimpse of an unfamiliar face would challenge one’s internal perception of self.
The experience highlights a profound realization: our physical appearance does not define us. Instead, it emphasizes the disconnect between outer identity and inner essence. The quote from Milan Kundera's "Immortality" invites reflection on how self-perception can be distorted and potentially alienating when confronted with reality.
