To be mortal is the most basic human experience, and yet man has never been able to accept it, grasp it, and behave accordingly. Man doesn't know how to be mortal. And when he dies, he doesn't even know how to be dead.
The quote reflects the struggle humanity faces in accepting mortality, which is the fundamental aspect of human existence. Despite being aware of our finite nature, we often find it challenging to come to terms with it and live in a way that acknowledges this truth. The inability to fully embrace our mortality can lead to various existential dilemmas and misunderstandings about life itself.
Kundera emphasizes that death remains a mystery to most, as people grapple with the concept of being dead just as they struggle with the concept of being alive. This highlights a pervasive human conflict: while we live in a world governed by the certainty of death, many avoid contemplating their mortality, leading to a lack of understanding of both life and death.
