Day 6

When his old friend Tullio tells him about his vast medicinal intake of lemons, Zeno considers it a great idea, although he dislikes lemons—because “Complete freedom consists of being able to do what you like, provided you also do something you like less.” An interesting definition of freedom!

Ah, the arrival of Guido Speier upon the scene, Zeno’s rival for Ada’s affection… the fact that Ada addresses him by his first name, whereas she calls Zeno “Signor Cosini,”’ is enough to cause him pain. How carefully, when in love, we read the slightest signs.

Zeno jealously compares his balding head to Guido’s luxuriant locks: “His dark, slightly waving hair, which covered all the space Mother Nature had destined it for, while a good deal of my head had been invaded by my brow.” For that alone, Zeno would have hated Guido.

In a memorable riff, Zeno explains that he can’t play the violin better because his body is out of equilibrium: “There is a slight paralysis in my organism, and on the violin it reveals its entire self.” That Guido is an excellent violinist, by this logic, would imply that he’s also a healthier fellow.