The Concept of "Insurance" in World Literature

 

Insurance is a concept that has been around for centuries, and its importance cannot be overstated. In world literature, insurance has been a topic that has been explored in various ways, from the portrayal of the insurance industry to the use of insurance as a metaphor for the unpredictability of life. This blog post aims to delve into the concept of insurance in world literature and how it has been portrayed over the years.

One of the earliest depictions of insurance in literature can be traced back to ancient China. During the Tang Dynasty, merchants in China would pay into a common fund that would be used to compensate members for losses due to robbery or damage to their goods. This concept was known as the "yinshi" or the "silver society." Although not strictly an insurance scheme, it laid the groundwork for the concept of insurance that would come to be in the modern world.

Moving forward to the 17th century, we see the emergence of the insurance industry as we know it today. One of the earliest works of literature that dealt with insurance was "The London Assurance," a play by Irish playwright, George Farquhar. The play, which was first performed in 1706, was a comedy that revolved around the lives of wealthy London merchants who were insured against the loss of their ships and cargoes.

In the 19th century, the insurance industry had grown considerably, and with it came a renewed interest in the concept of insurance in literature. One of the most notable works during this period was Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick." The novel, which was published in 1851, tells the story of a man named Ishmael, who joins the crew of a whaling ship, the Pequod. The ship is insured against loss, and this insurance becomes a significant plot point later in the story when the ship encounters the eponymous white whale. The insurance money becomes a motive for the ship's captain, Ahab, to continue the pursuit of the whale, despite the danger it poses to the crew.

Another notable work of literature that deals with insurance is F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." The novel, which was published in 1925, tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man who has made his fortune through illegal means. Gatsby is in love with a woman named Daisy, who is married to another man. Gatsby is obsessed with the idea of winning Daisy back, and he throws extravagant parties in an attempt to impress her. However, he is also aware that his illegal activities may lead to his downfall, and he takes out a large insurance policy to protect himself in case of his death.

In the 20th century, the concept of insurance continued to be explored in literature. One of the most notable works during this period was Joseph Heller's "Catch-22." The novel, which was published in 1961, is a satirical commentary on the absurdity of war. The protagonist, Captain John Yossarian, is a bombardier in the US Army Air Forces during World War II. Yossarian is desperate to be discharged from service, but he discovers that the only way to be discharged is to be declared insane. However, the military's catch-22 regulations state that anyone who wants to be discharged on the grounds of insanity is deemed sane enough to continue serving. Yossarian realizes that the only way to escape the war is to fake his death, and he takes out a large insurance policy to ensure that his family will be financially secure if he succeeds in his plan.

In more recent times, insurance has continued to be a prevalent theme in literature. One of the most notable examples is Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale." The novel, which was published in 1985, is set in a dystopian future where women have been stripped of their rights and are forced to become "handmaids" who bear children for the ruling class. In this society, insurance is used as a means of control. The handmaids are required to have insurance policies that cover the costs of their medical care and childbirth. However, the policies are held by their male "owners," and if a handmaid fails to produce a healthy child, the insurance company may refuse to pay out, leaving the handmaid with massive debts.

Insurance has also been used as a metaphor in literature. In "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel, insurance is used as a symbol for the unpredictability of life. The novel tells the story of a young Indian boy named Pi who is shipwrecked and stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. Throughout the story, Pi reflects on the importance of insurance and how it can never truly protect us from the uncertainties of life.

In conclusion, the concept of insurance in world literature has been portrayed in various ways, from the depiction of the insurance industry to the use of insurance as a metaphor for the unpredictability of life. The early depictions of insurance in ancient China laid the groundwork for the insurance industry that we know today, and over the years, insurance has become an integral part of our lives. In literature, insurance has been used to explore themes of control, power, and the unpredictability of life. The works of literature that have dealt with insurance have helped to shape our understanding of this important concept and have provided insights into how insurance affects our lives.