The conflict between a novelist and those who cannot appreciate humor, referred to as agélastes, is profound. The agélastes, who have never experienced the joy of laughter, mistakenly believe that their understanding of truth is absolute and universally shared. They view themselves in rigid terms, lacking the nuanced perception that comes with individual experience. This rigid mindset creates a divide where no genuine understanding can occur.

Kundera posits that true individuality arises from the relinquishment of certainty and the acceptance of diverse perspectives. In the realm of the novel, this diversity flourishes. Neither character holds the ultimate truth; rather, the narrative serves as a space for individuals to be recognized and understood, despite their differences. Here, the essence of the novel transforms into a sanctuary for individual expression and the complexity of human experience.