Like most of Kazantzakis's novels, Zorba the Greek is dominated by a single character whose story dramatizes the struggle of "the existential hero" trying to create meaning in his life in defiance of evidence that life itself is meaningless. Zorba's exuberance is contrasted with that of the narrator, who practices a studied detachment from the hustle and bustle of ordinary life. It is easy for readers to be captivated by the title character, but Kazantzakis seems as interested in the narrator as he is in Zorba. Hence, the true starting point for discussion of this complex novel lies in understanding the contrast between men who, despite their widely disparate views of life, become fast friends.

1. The narrator of Zorba the Greek rarely engages others or participates in what might be called zany activities. In what ways is he symbolic of modern humanity? What is Kazantzakis saying...