Voltaire and Story of a Good Brahmin Term Paper

Voltaire and Story of a Good Brahmin

According to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, the word "Brahmin" is defined as "a Hindu state of the highest caste traditionally assigned to the priesthood" (Mish, 149). This means that a good Brahmin is at the highest level of enlightenment within the Hindu social system. One would think this state of being would be an accomplishment and would bring about happiness and peace. This paper explores on many levels Voltaire's Story of a Good Brahmin found in many of his collected works.

Upon reading the text, it appears that despite the good Brahmin's path to Nirvana, he also has a dilemma in life. It appears he has spent too many years pondering the big questions in life, with no one to listen to him and he feels this plight has made him miserable. This state of being brings up many questions for the reader. Should he have been born? Are there solutions to this paradox? His dilemma is not as simplistic as it seems. His misery creates a deeper thought process. Does he not value his path in life? Does he not value the knowledge he creates? Or is he just feeling sorry for himself? This question can be asked because as much as he is miserable in his superior status, he refuses to trade places with a neighbor woman of a lower caste. Is there an applicable solution to his problem or is the good Brahmin cursed to ponder the big questions forever? The paragraphs below will explore answers to the above questions.

The Dilemma

The essence of Voltaire's story begins with the concept of comparisons. Everyone is guilty of it at one time or another. It is part of the human condition and awareness one experiences everyday. Voltaire must have known the reaction such a story would get in society because the Brahmin's dilemma brings to mind two well-known phrases, "ignorance is bliss" and "the grass is always greener on the other side." Still it is in the act of comparing one's self to another that the Brahmin's problem begins in essence.He is at the top level of the caste system looking down with all the time in the world to ponder life's questions and yet, he does not see the value of his life. He cannot understand why he has never felt satisfaction in his many thought processes. In fact he feels shame when speaking his thoughts aloud to others. He admits to liking the sound of his own voice and speaks a great deal in hopes of gratification. He seems tired in wondering what defines his soul because he has thought too much about it for too long. He lacks the faith found in his social system and wishes he had never been born. If he had not been born, then he would not feel tortured. Still even in this pit of despair, he is unwilling to give up his state of enlightenment and trade places with another lower on the caste. The Brahmin seems at wit's end and proclaims that happiness is not even what he pursues in his thoughts. Then what does he want? This is part of the problem. He has no idea what he wants out of life. No wonder he feels like he has gone nowhere. It seems he has no tangible goals. The big questions of life are too big and vague for him to conquer. Maybe if his questions had answers, he would feel better. He has no reasoning behind his time spent thinking. He has not figured out that the big questions in life are not meant answering. It is almost as if he is meant to continue indefinitely in this cycle of torment in knowing everything without meaning or passion.

The Solution

It appears that the Brahmin's neighbor lady is completely ignorant and content without the knowledge….....