The salvation of art derives in the best of modern times from a celebration of the triumph of the autonomous self-as in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony-and in the worst of times from naming the unspeakable: the strange and feckless movements of the self trying to escape itself. Exhilaration comes from naming the unnameable and hearing it named. If Kafka's Metamorphosis is presently a more accurate account of the self than Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, it is the more exhilarating for being so.
In modern art, the essence of salvation is found in celebrating the triumphant, autonomous self, as exemplified in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. However, during harsh times, it often stems from confronting the unspeakable aspects of self-identity, capturing the struggle to escape one's own nature. This exhilaration arises from articulating what was once unnameable, transforming it into a profound experience of self-discovery.
Walker Percy posits that while Kafka's "Metamorphosis" may currently better represent the complexities of self than Beethoven's work, it becomes even more exhilarating because it bravely reveals these intricate truths. This suggests that understanding and confronting our inner struggles can lead to a deeper appreciation and insight into the human experience.
