...but now, though, because I have still not gotten there…
““...but now, though, because I have still not gotten there, I feel as if distance- as if distance itself-has developed a density, a viscosity, and that I am pushing against it, that I am fighting distance's density; so I press the pedal, and the car surges, and I attempt to push to the terminus of distance, and when this does not happen and I am still not there I feel as if the tenacity of time will smother me- that I will be smothered by the atrocity of distance, by the painful failure of simultaneity; and I struggle to keep the gas pedal within civilized limits, and I go astride cars and around cars, and I am doused in the unthought thought: Please let me get to him quickly;””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker feels trapped by the increasing resistance of distance and time, perceiving them as dense, viscous forces that impede reaching a desired connection, leading to frustration and a desperate urge for speed.
In simple terms: Distance feels like a thick, oppressive barrier.
Key Takeaway
Urgency to overcome distance’s weight.
Themes
loneliness
time pressure
desire for connection
frustration
existential struggle
Mood
anxious
urgent
reflective
Type
philosophical
lament
When to use this quote
- waiting for a loved one
- traveling under a deadline
- seeking rapid communication
- navigating bureaucratic obstacles
Key Concepts
distance as a physical force
time's tenacity
human yearning for immediacy
psychological pressure of delay
Practical Applications
- accelerating travel plans
- prioritizing time‑sensitive tasks
Questions to Reflect On
- How does perceived distance shape our emotional state?
- What strategies can reduce the feeling of being smothered by time?