The Futility of Human Understanding in the Work I Dont Know by Elia Abu Madi - Essay Example

Born in Lebanon, Elia Abu Madi lived much of his early life in Egypt prior to finally emigrating to the United s. Such a diverse cultural view of the world doubtless helped to instill a great deal of knowledge and appreciation for the different views of a litany of individuals around the globe. With this diverse background in mind and the understanding that Elia Abu Madi was a metropolitan that had been exposed to so many different philosophical interpretations, religions, and systems of governance, it stands to reason that his poem “I don’t know” represents the futility of human understanding with the more knowledge that an individual attains.

Common knowledge dictates that the more educated a person becomes, the more effectively they can discern reality and determine which approach, worldview, or decision might be the best. However, as Elia Abu Madi illustrates within his poem, and the ultimate level of uncertainty surrounds each and every aspect of life. Whether or not an individual is born to fulfill a specific destiny, whether or not there is any legitimate purpose to life, whether or not love, hate, fear, or even uncertainty helped to constrain and define the purpose of being is duly represented within this particular point.

In such a manner, the reader can come to the understanding of the fact that even though Elia Abu Madi was well-traveled, well-educated, and exposed to a litany of different cultures and societies, an understanding of a purpose and meaning for life continued to evade him.