Analysis of Niko Kazantzaki's Novel Zobra The Greek

Niko's Kazantzaki's "Zorba the Greek" is a bittersweet portrayal of a romantic idealist that delves into the complex and oftentimes mysterious nature of the human psyche. The novel examines the interpersonal relationships between the two principal characters, as well as more profound issues of human experience. The novel's true drama, however, lies in Kazantzaki's recurring question: how to live? Both Zorba and the narrator are engaged in a quest to find the romantic, enchanted life necessary for fulfillment, but each embarks on the quest in his own, unique manner. While Zorba chooses to embrace life, interact with the natural world, and subject himself to its joys and sufferings, the narrator hides from the world behind the security of his books and tries to experience life through the teachings of others.

Each character approaches life from a different angle. Zorba embraces life as a sensualist and an adventurer, savoring each moment and appreciating the simple pleasures that the world has to offer. The narrator approaches life with little confidence, hesitating to step beyond the safe confines of his literature and intervene in the action of the world. It is not until he meets Zorba that he is able to begin emerging from his cocoon and experiencing life as it is meant to be experienced, first-hand.

From the moment he meets Zorba, the narrator is enthralled by him, believing that Zorba is living the ideal lifestyle. As their relationship progresses throughout the novel, it becomes clear that Zorba is helping the narrator to recognize his own shortcomings and follies, and inspiring him to alter his way of life in order to find satisfaction beyond that offered by philosophical literature. Though the narrator seems to have undergone a monumental transformation by the end of the novel, we can not be certain whether he has chosen to implement Zorba's advice, or whether he has merely placed it in the back of his mind and plans to continue living as he has been.

The narrator describes his life with Zorba as having "enlarged [his] heart; some of his words had calmed [his] soul" (292). It seems as if the narrator's Zorbatic redemption is only momentary, a brief sojourn from reality before he falls back into his circular routine and continues living a life of reason and intellectualism. Character is destiny, and though Zorba has the capability to awaken the narrator's primitive soul and desire to be guided by intuition, "reason was calling [his] heart to order" and he "dropped back into everyday reality" (297). The narrator cannot rid himself of his past. It is impossible for him to unlearn all that he has acquired over a lifetime of intellectual stimulation. Though Zorba proves to be the greatest philosopher of all, he can nevertheless be seen as merely another external source of knowledge. While Zorba is able to provide answers to some of the narrator's inquiries, he produces many more uncertainties that the narrator feels compelled to answer.

Kazantzaki pays close attention to society's expectations, and to how these standards affect the human mind. There exists a monumental separation between Zorba's inner world and his outer world, which holds the rest of humanity and society. Zorba is guided primarily by his instinctual propensities, and fear of consequences has very little impression on his decision-making. Zorba's approach to life indicates that he is completely detached from society's expectations. Rather than striving to contribute to society, he undermines societal ideals and lives for himself alone. Contrarily, the narrator's life is burdened by reason. It is extremely difficult for him to transcend societal expectations and interact with the natural world without rationalizing his actions. The narrator's need to rationalize his behavior often prevents him from experiencing the pleasures of freedom and spotaneity.

As the narrator develops a fascination with Zorba's state of mind, he also develops the desire to emulate his role model and live his life accordingly. The first time that the narrator attempted to engage with society had long-lasting repercussions on his emotional state and perception of the world. The narrator stumbled upon a butterfly cocoon that was preparing to hatch, and rather than waiting for nature to take its course, he intervened, assisting the butterfly in its premature emergence and subsequently killing it in the palm of his hand:

That little body is, I do believe, the greatest weight I have on my conscience. For I realize today that it is a mortal sin to violate the great laws of nature. We should not hurry, we should not be impatient, but we should confidently obey the eternal rhythm. (121)

This passage reveals the extent to which the narrator has avoided intervention throughout his life. When he says that the butterfly's death is the greatest weight on his conscience, he suggests that his life had been free of trauma and grievance up until that point. This stands in sharp contrast to Zorba, who has never been hesitant to enter into battle against mankind. The narrator is reluctant to disturb the eternal rhythm, fearful of violating the great laws of nature. There is a monumental separation between the killing of an insect and the killing of a human being, but while Zorba shows no sympathy, the narrator is plagued with feelings of guilt and remorse.

Not only is the butterfly incident a metaphor for the way the narrator approaches life - with intellectual curiosity and reluctance - it also serves to illustrate another important aspect of the narrator's character. This is the first indicator that the narrator is making an effort to use Zorba's advice, independently. He places complete faith in his ability to act, and attempts to experience life as he has never before seen it. He takes a chance at understanding the workings of the world, but his intervention is a failure, and leaves permanent emotional scars, rendering him incapable of taking further action and petrified of failure. Consequently, the narrator chooses to live safely, observing but not touching, deriving vicarious pleasure from watching Zorba and living his life through him just as he had previously lived his life through literature.

Ultimately, while the narrator sincerely believes that Zorba contains all the answers to life's mysteries, the reality is that no one individual has all the answers. The world is an unsolvable mystery; one that humanity is incapable of fully comprehending. Though the narrator may not apply Zorba's teachings to his own life, he "engraved it upon his mind and carried it away with him" (292). Like many of the books he reads, the narrator's experience with Zorba remains with him, helping him to envision the ideal way of life. His character, however, prevents him from being able to truly detach himself from the intellectual world. He is an instrument of society, helping to support the ideals that it has created. He is spinning in circles, and though he can pick up a book and be entirely engaged in its teachings, when the book is finished, he is back where he began, having gained insight but no true experience.

In the end, there is no right answer to the question of how to live. Though the narrator repudiates his entire existence, there is nothing in the novel that indicates that Zorba's manner of living is more sublime. Each man possesses his own follies and limitations; neither is complete without the other. To live the perfect existence, they must join forces and live as one, creating the ideal balance of intellectualism and realism.