Without the joy of living, without the desire to live, there are no human beings. Those who are deprived of their dignity and fight to recover it, fight to the same extent for their right to reconquer the desire to live. People who try to leave a concentration camp or depouperated agricultural societies and go to the prosperous countries of Europe, and whose bodies arrive at the beaches of Lampedusa and Sicily, also intended to recover the joy of living.
The quote emphasizes the essential nature of the joy of living and the desire to experience life fully. It suggests that without these fundamental feelings, humanity itself is diminished. It highlights the struggles of those who have been stripped of their dignity, portraying their fight as a deeply human endeavor to restore not only their rights but their very will to live. The yearning for dignity and joy is intertwined with the human condition.
The mention of individuals risking their lives to escape dire conditions and seek better opportunities in prosperous countries underscores the lengths to which people will go in search of a fulfilling life. Their journeys, often culminating in tragedy, symbolize a powerful quest for hope and a return to joy. Mankell's work reflects the broader human struggle against oppression and the relentless pursuit of happiness that defines our existence.
