How to interpret Tyrion's story on Orson smashing beetles?

Tyrion cannot understand why Orson smashes the beetles and yet smashing the beetles is what makes Orson happy. It drives him and gives him purpose. It gives him purpose and meaning until the day he is killed. The story is Tyrion's struggle to find meaning in life. read more

This story is about Tyrion’s attempt to understand the gods and why they do what they do. First, he asks Orson, “Orson, why are you smashing all those beetles.” Orson didn’t answer in any meaningful way. This would describe many people’s experience when asked gods why they take away loved ones. However, Tyrion wasn’t deterred. read more

The story is Tyrion's struggle to find meaning in life. He is a man on death row and this story is his way of explaining the brevity and pointlessness of life. While others can find meaning in simple things (smashing beetles), Tyrion cannot identify with them. It is also a demonstration that Tyrion is different from those around him. read more