Be prepared for anything under the philosophical sun if you've decided to read Octavian Nothing. The novel is non-stop with its references to major western philosophies, and it also gets super-deep into what those philosophies mean from the perspective of the enslaved. And from the perspective of a slave like Octavian, the meaning of life is all about the dualities of pre-revolutionary America: black/white; slave/master; being/unbeing; alive/dead. There's no shortage of food for thought with Octavian at the helm.
Questions About Life, Consciousness, and Existence
- Is isolation necessary for deep thoughts on life, consciousness, and existence?
- Can being only be defined through its opposite, unbeing?
- How does Octavian define freedom?
- Are hierarchies necessary to understand life?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Freedom in life is only an illusion; true freedom can only be found in death.
Being a black slave gives Octavian a deeper, more compassionate perspective on human existence.