Critical Essay

Nothing by Janne Teller

Janne Teller’s compelling novel, Nothing, details the experiences of a group of

schoolkids in Denmark who are faced with the challenge of convincing their peer that life has

meaning. One afternoon, young Pierre Anthon, gets up in class and declares that there is no

meaning in life and thus, that nothing matters. In accordance with his logic, he begins spending

his days sitting in a tree doing absolutely nothing and condescending those who continue to

spend their days attending class and working, as he would claim, futilely. Attempting to

challenge Pierre’s nihilistic existential claims, the other students decide to begin gathering things

that represent meaning in order to convince him that there is purpose and meaning to life. Such

artifacts are collected and stored in an old saw mill to eventually be shown to Pierre. However,

what starts as an innocent revival, soon spirals out of control as the students begin quantifying

meaning and demanding greater and greater sacrifices from one another.

Initially, the students are ready and willing to add trinkets of meaning to the pile, but they

quickly begin to question the legitimacy one another’s contributions. As a result, the pile of

meaning turns into a morrib sort of game where each person gets to demand a sacrifice of

another and so on. One loses her beloved pet, another is forced to dig up her dead brothers

coffin, another loses her innocence and several contribute religious tokens that end up getting

them in trouble with their parents and even with the community at large. Eventually, the items

being added became less about meaning and more about the pain of the sacrifice. For example,

the beheaded dog did not belong to any of the students but its execution was painful for the

person forced to draw the knife. After one boy lost his finger to the pile of meaning, the

community was informed and the monument received national recognition and museums even
offered money to purchase the work of art. Personally, I think that if something is considered an

art to be put on display, it signifies that there is something meaningful about it. However, the

question is quickly raised as to whether or not the items were truly valuable to the students if

they were willing to exchange them for money. Questions such as this present themselves all

throughout the book as Teller, at once, delivers blunt criticisms and demands thoughtful

consideration all in a short, easily consumed text.

Janne Teller hauntingly portrays a battle between two philosophical ideas. On one side,

nothing has meaning, and thus there is no reason to engage in or do anything. On the other, life

have intrinsic meaning and purpose. However, in her work, the debate it not quite so black and

white, but rather, clouded in grey relativism that gives way to an existential war with horrific

casualties. Or, perhaps, these casualties are actually sacrifices or even maybe even war heros.

Teller implicitly seems to posit that there is not an easy retort to the Pierre’s claims. As the

students begin to good-naturedly compile meaning, they turn in upon themselves, privatizing

meaning in an idolatrous way that ultimately results in a lack of true meaning.

Does something’s meaning continue to exist when it is removed from the person who

finds it meaningful? If something is destroyed, does it’s intrinsic meaning remain? Is meaning,

like beauty, in the eye of the beholder? If you get rid of something willingly, but for a cause,

does it lose meaning? Is sacrifice meaningful if it seems to more closely resemble robbery? Such

questions began spinning inside my head as I read Nothing. If anything is to be deemed

meaningful, it is this book. Even the style in which it is written conveys meaning. Periodically,

teller breaks down words and phrases, showing how quickly the meaning of something can

change or be lost. In doing so, Teller shows the potential fabrication of even our most basic

possessions such as language. She illuminates erroneous logic and encourages the contemplative
consideration of the belief systems that people hold, but so often unquestionably. Nothing

concludes the way it starts--with an implicit question. Does life have meaning? Teller excellently

lays out a framework that forces readers to seriously consider the complexities of the question,

but does not, in fact, offer an explicit answer. Rather, the reader is left to come to his own

conclusions about meaning and, at the very least, consider the implications thereof.

I think that this book is a great selection for young adults because adolescents are

constantly challenged with the task of finding, creating, discerning, and preserving meaning.

Because this age group is so impressionable and typically living amid peer pressure and

uncertainty, the ability to take ownership over one’s life and its meaning is crucial. Nothing

prods readers to consider the implications of nihilism while also challenging them to contemplate

the definition of meaning, where it comes from, whether or not it is objective, if it is permanent,

and if or how it can be lost. Furthermore, the central characters of the novel are in the seventh

grade which allows for not only relatability to young teenagagers, but also liberal character

development due to the age of the central players which, I believe, adds to the impact and

mastery of the events that transpire. While I believe that the book Nothing is extremely palatable

and would create valuable interactions between the reader and its contents, I would encourage it

be read in the context of an educational setting or other communal environment when

considering it as a selection for young adults. Teller’s dark twists and provocative plot are what

make Nothing a work of genius. However, I assert that her work would be most richly engaged

by the younger population if they had a context in which they were able to ask questions, share

their responses, and receive constructive feedback along the way.

Conclusively, I found Janne Teller’s work Nothing to be a transformative, thought

provoking read. As I read, I tried to discern where the author fell in terms of her existential
beliefs. However, I come to the conclusion that Teller remained excellently unbiased in her

social critique and allowed for the readers to formulate their own opinions of and reactions to her

work and its encompassed philosophical themes. She sets the stage for controversy and

constructive dialogue concerning the subject matter. In all, I would highly recommend this book

be widely read and utilized, with caution, in appropriate classrooms. My thinking has been

challenged and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to engage this novel. Nothing is a

“must-read”.