While White's the character who's overtly suffering in The Sunset Limited—he wants to kill himself, after all—both White and Blacktalk a lot about the suffering of the world and humanity in general. Black doesn't deny the existence of suffering, but he doesn't view it as inevitable the way White does, and he thinks you can be redeemed from it. It's the result, in his opinion, of wanting things that you're not supposed to have. White, on the other hand, sees suffering as pointless. He just wants to escape it, and he thinks the quickest way of doing so is through suicide.
Questions About Suffering
- Is suffering in life inevitable? Is it possible for us to escape it, or make it a part of our happiness? Is White right that suffering is the same thing as human destiny? Give examples from the text to support your answer.
- Can you suffer and still be happy? Is there a point where suffering becomes so great that happiness really is impossible? Show evidence from the play, yo.
- What causes suffering? Is it what Black says it is, the result of wanting things you're not supposed to have? What is at the root of White's unhappiness?
- Can suffering be redeemed? Is there a point to suffering? Prove your case using the text.
Chew on This
Suffering is caused by desire, so once White can learn to let go of desiring nothingness, he'll return to a happier life.
Black's happiness is directly connected to how many hard times he's known.