Alex's Reaction to Second Discussion

     During yesterday’s discussion, we delved even further into Dostoyevsky’s psychoanalytical perspective. The talk about religion resurfaced as we discussed the need for man to feel comfort in something that cannot be scientifically proven. Established as a symbol of peace, religion is meant to placate the never ending conflict of man versus man. It was interesting to see how society contradicts the ideals of religion by prioritizing the elderly. At first read, one might judge the blunt references the narrator makes in regards to people becoming useless in society after the age of 40. The narrator himself falls into this category; however, he believes he has a purpose; this does not apply to him (selfishness/superiority over the rest). After discussing about this particular section of the novel and relating it to present day society as well making historical references to the “superman”, the contradictions between state and religion became clearer to me. It was also interesting to see these pillars of society that were originally portrayed in Kafka’s work be represented by Dostoyevsky in his work.