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A Meaningful Emptiness

Summary/Abstract: This article interprets Stoner as a kind of Buddhist novel, in which central themes include the futility of desire, the act of letting go, renunciation, and ultimately, emptiness – core tenets of Buddhist philosophy and religion. In Buddhism, emptiness (śūnyatā) is a key concept, the realization of which is essential for escaping the cycle of existence and attaining liberation from suffering. This state of emptiness brings one closer to their Buddha-nature, characterized not by reaction or attachment but by awareness and realization. As Buddhist practice holds, grasping the nature of emptiness enables one to overcome attachment, since desire for the impermanent is the root of suffering. In this sense, understanding emptiness offers both liberation and a clearer perception of reality. Rather than offering an aesthetic, stylistic, or literary-theoretical reading of the novel, this study begins with the character of Stoner to outline a particular interpretive path that highlights the emptiness of desire within a broader religious-philosophical framework. It places Buddhist teachings in dialogue with René Girard’s mimetic theory of desire. Following a brief introduction and a summary of key moments in Stoner – emphasizing the near-total absence of desire and passion in the protagonist – the article presents an overview of the Theravāda doctrine of emptiness and Girard’s theory. It concludes by exploring the broader connections between these two frameworks, offering insights relevant to the psychological challenges of the contemporary zeitgeist.

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