Existence

Nutshell uses the recurring theme of existence in an attempt to make the reader ponder the actual nature of existence. There are multiple instances when the narrator asks himself, “what does it mean to be?” At times, the narrator decides that he does want to “be,” while at other times he does not. Technically, the narrator already exists because he is within the physical world. But, he does not seem to see it this way.

For the narrator, existence begins at birth, therefore, since he is not yet born, he does not exist. But, as stated before, there are points where he does not want to exist at all. The narrator makes mention of this when he realizes that John is going to be murdered and also when he ponders all of the horror that exists outside of the womb and later attempts to choke himself...