Analysis of The Dragon Princess by Rainer Maria Rilke

At times most stressful, the battle we often fight is ourselves. In the essay “The Dragon Princess” by Rainer Maria Rilke, he describes his own thoughts and criticisms on a certain individual which can be interpreted as a regular human. Rilke describes this individual as someone who doesn’t live life to the fullest and a coward through the use of diction, analogies, and tone.

Throughout the essay, Rilke describes the individual in many ways, one main point being “We are solitary.” He blatantly exclaims that the individual is solitary and that the individual makes a facade that he isn’t so, but he must learn to accept that being solitary is built within him. Another quote in which Rilke conveys his views on the individual is when he states “But fear of the inexplicable has not alone impoverished the existence of the individual…” With the choice of words, it is inferred that Rilke thinks the individual is impacted and his existence has been tainted due to the fear when faced with the unexplained.

Rilke uses many analogies to illustrate not only his thoughts on the individual but his own experiences. Rilke mentions that the individual is solitary but does not choose to believe it. However, if he were to believe it, “He would think himself falling or hurled out to space, or exploded into a thousand pieces…” Although a peculiar analogy, it shows the sheer magnitude in which if this individual were to realize his solitude. In addition to solitude, Rilke often discusses the individual’s existence, for one notable example being “For if we think of this existence of the individual as a larger or smaller room, it appears evident that most people learn to know only a corner of their room…” Rilke compares this individual’s life to a room and states that he does not do anything different in their life, and only stays in the corner, meaning they only stick to the things they are accustomed and comfortable with.

Along with analogies and his diction, Rilke uses a variety of tones in order to convey his views on the individual. As mentioned earlier, Rilke exclaims “We are solitary,” which gives off an assertive tone which makes the reader believe Rilke firmly believes in this statement. Moreover, Rilke makes the statement “That mankind has in this sense been cowardly has made life endless farm…” This shows a critical tone, and while it seems Rilke is berating him, he is giving important advice to stop doing what they are comfortable with and instead venture out to the inexplicable.

Rilke chooses many different types of words and analogies to describe the individual as a scared man who has all the tools to be great. Rilke describes life as something we should use to its full potential, and not waste away due to our neglect. This essay brings up the question: “Is living a boring and monotonous life considered living life to the fullest?” According to Rilke, he would disagree.