Metaphysical imagery
This book is concerned with the relationship between concrete imagery and abstract imagery. Nietzsche makes arguments about the "order" or "metaphysic" of reality, saying that the conversation has ontological and teleological implications. That means that the relationship between what is visible and what is implied can be researched for determining what existence is (ontology) and what it is for (teleology). This imagery is the imagery of asking the big questions of human existence.
Morality and human nature
Nietzsche is not convinced by moral arguments that others readily accept. His point of view about morality is shown through severe arguments that invoke an imagery of human nature. He sees humans as animals that are concerned with power, and through moral codes, the most powerful can subdue the least powerful by their own natural programming. In other words, he sees that humans can attain godlike statuses of power by manipulating the masses.
Art and meaning
The concrete imagery of art and representation is invoked in Nietzsche's discussion of the meaning of human life. He sees that art is meaningful in some limited sense, but he rejects the notion that art is a divine process for explaining something ineffable about the human experience. He sees art as the demonstration of technical prowess, as an expression of the power he believes humans are searching for. In other words, he sees art as an animalistic demonstration of power.
Life and death
The ultimate imagery of human life is on the forefront of Nietzsche's mind. He sees the way death-aversion shapes polite human society, and he observes that in his opinion, humans who are unable to face the real problems of existence are weaklings. He says that religion is a tool used to pascify these death anxieties and he observes that through philosophy, a person can clearly see that the real question is not the meaning of life but the meaning of death, because death is the dilemma.
