The Globalization of Literature: The Exile of the World-Citizen
Nietzsche once declared the death of God. Let us today proclaim instead: the death of Man. Perhaps this writing cannot begin without such a proclamation. First let me say: what an impossibly tolerant creature is Man! When he declares his own death sentence, not even the faintest tremor shakes his chest. In truth, the other name for this excessive tolerance is a living hell. A heart with no plan for terrible vengeance. To declare that one is alive—that itself is a sin. From where does this infinite endurance arrive? What helpless resilience! In enduring, enduring, we have all become martyrs. Albert Camus once remarked about martyrs: when we speak of martyrdom, we must remember only three roads lie open before them. One: to be forgotten by mankind. Two: to be mocked in jest. Three: to be devoured and exploited. Therefore, better than becoming a martyr is to rub mustard oil upon one’s nose and fall asleep in peace. But who imparted this supreme wisdom to us? Ah, how fe...