Final answer:
Ishmael's statement about 'being alive itself to be a burden' reflects a sentiment of existential struggle and the overwhelming nature of life's challenges, as illustrated in various literary contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Ishmael says, “being alive itself to be a burden,” he is expressing a deep sense of existential hardship and despair. This sentiment can be found across various literary works where characters confront the weight of their existence, the struggles they face, and the seeming futility of life in the face of overwhelming challenges. For example, in the lines from Bhagavad Gita, the concept of one's duty, even if it is burdensome, is deemed preferable to taking on another's well-performed duty due to the dangers it brings. Similarly, society's burdens, whether of poverty, ignorance, or racial degradation, are vividly portrayed as dead-weights on one's back, as described in the other passages. These burdens make life tiresome for the individuals carrying them and often lead to the feeling that existence is of little use or value, which is why the concept of 'being alive as a burden' resonates across different contexts.