The greatest writers of this age... are aware of the mystery of

"The greatest writers of this age... are aware of the mystery of our existence." – J. B. Priestley

In the quiet depths of human consciousness, there lies a mystery that has captivated the hearts and minds of many for millennia—the mystery of our very existence. J. B. Priestley, in his reflection, speaks to a profound truth about the nature of great writers: they are not merely storytellers or chroniclers of events, but seekers of the deep, hidden forces that shape human life. These writers, Priestley suggests, are intimately attuned to the mystery of existence itself—the unknowable, the ephemeral, and the profound questions that define our journey through life. To be a great writer, then, is to be both a philosopher and a seer, able to glimpse the truth of our existence and convey it to the world through the power of words.

The ancients understood this mystery in their own way, often contemplating the meaning of life, death, and the unknown forces that govern the universe. Consider Socrates, who famously declared that the unexamined life is not worth living. For him, the mystery of existence was not something to be ignored, but something to be probed, questioned, and understood. His quest for knowledge was deeply tied to the idea that the true meaning of life lies in seeking answers to the questions that challenge our very sense of purpose. Similarly, the Greek playwrights, such as Sophocles and Euripides, were keenly aware of the mysterious forces of fate, destiny, and the gods that shaped the lives of their characters, reflecting the deep, often tragic, nature of the human condition.

Priestley’s insight into the great writers of his time calls us to recognize that writing is not merely a craft, but a calling—a search for meaning in the vast expanse of existence. These writers are not simply documenting the world as it appears on the surface; they are diving into the depths of human experience, grappling with the most fundamental questions about life’s purpose and the forces that govern it. Just as the ancient poets like Homer in the Iliad and Odyssey explored the divine will and the capricious nature of fate, modern writers continue to search for answers to these timeless questions. William Shakespeare, in his portrayal of Hamlet, captured the profound mystery of human existence, as Hamlet himself famously wonders, "To be or not to be," a question that echoes through the ages as humanity’s attempt to make sense of its own mortality and the meaning of life.

In modern literature, we see this same theme of mystery explored through the works of writers like Franz Kafka, whose works delve into the absurdity and alienation that often accompanies the human condition. Kafka’s characters often find themselves trapped in a world that seems meaningless and beyond their control, yet through this very struggle, they confront the mystery of their own existence. Similarly, Virginia Woolf explored the complexity of time, memory, and identity in works such as Mrs. Dalloway, where the act of living itself becomes a journey to uncover the fleeting nature of existence. These writers, like the ancient philosophers, are keenly aware that life is not a simple sequence of events but a profound mystery that demands introspection and insight.

Priestley’s words also speak to the idea that great writers are able to see beyond the surface of everyday life, delving into the mystical and unknown aspects of human experience. This awareness of the mystery of existence is what makes their work timeless. These writers are not just chronicling the mundane; they are uncovering the depths of what it means to be human, to live, to suffer, and to seek meaning. Their words speak to something universal, something that resonates with every reader, because it taps into the very core of human experience. Leo Tolstoy, in War and Peace, did this masterfully by exploring the vast interplay of history, personal choice, and the invisible forces of fate that guide the lives of his characters. Tolstoy’s work, like that of other great writers, reveals the profound mystery behind the course of events that shape human life.

The lesson we must take from Priestley’s words is that to truly understand life, we must engage with the mystery of it. Great writers are not just observers of the world—they are seekers of truth, and their works serve as guides for all who seek to understand the deeper questions of existence. They teach us that the answers to life’s most profound questions are often elusive, but in our search for them, we find a richness of experience that is worth pursuing. To embrace this mystery, then, is to recognize that life’s journey is not merely about acquiring knowledge or living according to external expectations, but about seeking truth, understanding our place in the universe, and coming to terms with the unknown.

In practical terms, this means that we, too, should strive to become seekers of truth in our own lives. Whether through art, literature, or philosophy, we must engage with the mysteries that surround us, recognizing that life is not simply a sequence of events to be experienced passively, but a profound journey of discovery. Like the great writers and thinkers who have come before us, we must question, explore, and ultimately embrace the mystery of existence. In doing so, we honor the wisdom of those who have gone before and continue the eternal quest to understand the world, ourselves, and our place within it. Let us be brave seekers, ever willing to dive into the depths of the human soul and the mysteries that lie just beyond our grasp.