perhaps when you live your entire life among such scenes, they do not register as beauty but as the world itself
In "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova, the narrative explores the idea that being surrounded by beautiful landscapes and remarkable scenes can lead to a desensitization to their beauty. When individuals are immersed in these environments day after day, they begin to see them not as extraordinary but as the normal backdrop of their lives. This perspective challenges the notion of beauty, suggesting that familiarity can dull appreciation.
This theme encourages readers to reflect on their own surroundings and the way they perceive beauty. It highlights how context and exposure can shape our experiences, allowing us to either overlook or deeply appreciate the world around us. Kostova’s work invites us to reconsider our relationship with our environment, emphasizing the importance of recognizing beauty even in the most familiar aspects of our lives.