Now we are longtime outcasts, flying through the emptiness of time in a straight line. Yet somewhere deep down a thin thread still ties us to that far-off misty Paradise, where Adam leans over a well and, unlike Narcissus, never even suspects that the pale yellow blotch appearing in it is he himself. The longing for Paradise is man's longing not to be man.
Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" explores the concept of human existence and the inherent longing for a lost paradise. The characters find themselves isolated, adrift in time, despite a deep yearning for an idealized past. This sense of being an outcast reflects the struggle of humanity to connect with something greater than themselves, an elusive dream that remains just out of reach.
The quote highlights the contrast between knowledge and innocence, illustrating Adam's obliviousness to his own reflection, symbolizing humanity's desire to transcend its limitations. Ultimately, this longing for paradise signifies a deep-seated wish to escape the burdens of human identity and imperfections, suggesting that such desires are intrinsic to the human experience.
