Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Forgiveness and Compassion
Religion and Moral Truth
Remembrance
Anti-Semitism and Dehumanization
Silence, Guilt, and Resistance
Summary
Analysis
As a Buddhist, Ricard believes that forgiveness is always possible and one should always forgive. Based on his religion’s teachings, an action is considered sinful if it producers suffering, while a virtuous action is one that brings about more happiness in the world.
Ricard’s argument is also implicitly made by the Dalai Lama. Buddhists believe that actions should be taken based on whether they reduce suffering; therefore, Simon should forgive Karl.
Themes
Ricard continues by saying that granting forgiveness is not condoning past crimes, but instead acknowledging the inner change a person has experienced in repenting. This offers the opportunity for the perpetrator to escape the “whirlpool of wrongdoing.” Finally, Ricard counsels that a Buddhist might have told Karl to pray for his future lives, in which he is destined to undergo much suffering.
Again, the beliefs of Ricard’s religion dictate how he thinks Simon should act. Because of Buddhism’s emphasis on reincarnation and karma, Ricard believes that Karl is already destined to suffer for his sins, and therefore Simon does not need to add to this suffering by not forgiving him.
Themes
