Not every person with physical health and material well-being feels happy. But how, then, to achieve equilibrium for someone who does not have this? This philosophical question was raised in his work by Vladimir Korolenko. The Paradox, the summary of which is just one aphorism expressed by the hero of this story, is a work that can make those who do not experience happiness in their lives think.
Writing history
This work V. Korolenko wrote in one day. And, based on biographical information, we can conclude that this day was not the best in the life of a writer. Shortly before this, his daughter died. Korolenko admitted to his sister in one of the letters that his condition was "broken and insignificant."
According to the writer, life was a manifestation of the law, the main categories of which are good and evil. Happiness to humanity is given very unevenly. Korolenko devoted the “Paradox” to the philosophical theme over which people rack their brains for many centuries.
Summary
The protagonist of the story is a ten-year-old boy from a wealthy family. He and his brother often relax in a huge beautiful garden, indulging in idle pastime, as expected, according to the author, to the children of wealthy parents. But once a case occurs, after which their mental balance is disturbed. An extremely simple answer is given by Korolenko to a difficult question.
The Paradox, a brief summary of which can be formulated with just one phrase: “Man is created for happiness, like a bird for flight,” is a deeply philosophical work.
One day, a rather strange couple drove up to the house in which the boys lived. One was tall and lanky. The other had a look that each of the brothers remained in memory for a lifetime. He had a huge head, a weak body and ... his hands were missing. The purpose of the arrival of these gentlemen was simple - begging. That is what they earned their livelihood. But they did it, it must be said, very skillfully.
The contradictory nature of happiness is dedicated to the story created by Korolenko. The "paradox", the brief content of which is set forth in the article, tells of a meeting with a person for whom happiness, it would seem, is an unattainable state. But it was he, and his name was Jan Krishtof Zaluski, who told a wise aphorism, the meaning of which was that the main purpose of a person is to be happy.
Phenomenon
Zalousky and his companion made money with quite artistic performances. At first a strange man was introduced to the public. The assistant called him a "phenomenon." This was followed by a brief history of his life. And finally, Zalousky himself appeared on the scene.
A man without hands did all sorts of tricks: kicked a thread into a needle, took food and took off his jacket in the same way. But the most amazing was his ability to write. Moreover, his handwriting was perfect, calligraphic. And it was in this part of the narrative that Korolenko introduced the philosophical idea. Zaluski’s paradox was that with the help of his specific method he wrote a wise aphorism about human happiness.
Strange performance
The armless little man had a sharp tongue and a sense of humor. Moreover, he was not without a certain cynicism. He made fun of his physical inferiority in every possible way, but at the same time he did not forget to remind that he was smart enough and therefore required a monetary reward. The highlight of his program was a philosophical aphorism, which he asked to read an embarrassed boy.
The image of an unusual “lucky man” was created in this work by Korolenko. The paradox of this character was that, not possessing what was necessary for a normal existence, he preached a philosophy of happiness. And he did it quite truthfully and convincingly.
Paradoxical lucky
When the wise phrase was read out by the boy, one of the spectators of this unusual speech expressed doubt that it was an aphorism. Zalousky did not argue. With the inherent evil irony, he said that this aphorism from the mouth of the phenomenon is nothing more than a paradox. This word became the key in the work of Korolenko.
A paradox is when a rich and healthy person considers himself unhappy. A paradox is also a cripple that talks about happiness.
But the aphorism of Zalousky has a sequel. VG Korolenko endowed his story with a contradictory philosophical idea. The paradox also lies in the fact that the truthfulness of his slogan about happiness was denied by Zalusky himself.
But happiness is not given to man ...
The only adult who had compassion for the cripple was the mother of the boys. After the performance, she invited Zalousky and his friend to dinner at home. And after the brothers saw them moving away, talking to each other. And their conversation so interested the children that they decided to follow the unusual artists.
It reminds a philosophical parable of a story written by Vladimir Korolenko. The Paradox, the main characters of which met for the first and last time, is a story about a wise wanderer. With his sudden visit, he taught the children an important lesson in life.
Happiness is a relative concept. Man is born to him, like a bird to fly. But later, in a conversation between Zalousky and his companion, the boys heard the continuation of the phrase he had uttered: “But happiness, alas, is not given to everyone.” And without this addition to Zalousky's aphorism, the plot of Korolenko would not be complete. The paradox of the human soul is that it is drawn to harmony and balance, but absolute happiness is unknown to it.