Zorba the Greek by Niko Kazantzaki is a bittersweet portrait of a romantic idealist who delves into the complex and often mysterious nature of the human psyche. The novel examines the interpersonal relationships between the two main characters, as well as deeper issues related to the human experience. But the real drama of the novel lies in Kazantzaki's recurring question: how to live? Both Zorba and the narrator are engaged in a quest to find the romantic and enchanted life necessary for their fulfillment, but each embarks on the quest in their own way. While Zorba chooses to embrace life, interact with the natural world and submit to its joys and sufferings, the narrator hides from the world behind the safety of his books and attempts to experience life through the lessons from others. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Each character approaches life from a different perspective. Zorba embraces life as a sensualist and adventurer, savoring every moment and appreciating the simple pleasures the world has to offer. The narrator approaches life with little confidence, hesitant to leave the safe confines of his literature and intervene in the action of the world. It is only when he meets Zorba that he can begin to emerge from his cocoon and experience life as it is meant to be lived, firsthand. From the moment he meets Zorba, the narrator is fascinated by him, believing that Zorba is living the ideal lifestyle. As their relationship progresses throughout the novel, it becomes clear that Zorba helps the narrator recognize his own flaws and follies, and inspires him to change his lifestyle in order to find satisfaction beyond that offered by philosophical literature. Although the narrator seems to have undergone a monumental transformation by the end of the novel, we cannot be sure if he chose to implement Zorba's advice, or if he simply placed it in the corner of his mind and plans to continue living like this. he was. The narrator describes his life with Zorba as having “enlarged [his] heart; some of his words had calmed [his] soul” (292). It seems that the narrator's Zorbatic redemption is only momentary, a brief sojourn from reality before he falls back into his circular routine and continues to live a life of reason and intellectualism. The character is destiny, and although Zorba has the ability to awaken the narrator's primitive soul and his desire to be guided by intuition, "reason called [his] heart to order" and he " fell back into everyday reality” (297). The narrator cannot shake off his past. It is impossible for him to unlearn everything he has acquired over a lifetime of intellectual stimulation. Although Zorba proves to be the greatest philosopher of all, he can nevertheless be seen as a mere external source of knowledge. Although Zorba is able to provide answers to some of the narrator's questions, he produces many more uncertainties that the narrator feels compelled to answer. Kazantzaki pays particular attention to societal expectations and how these norms affect the human mind. There is a monumental separation between Zorba's inner world and his outer world, which houses the rest of humanity and society. Zorba is guided above all by his instinctive propensities, and fear of consequences has very little influence on his decisions. 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.