"I think that the city, like a person, brings its tendencies, desires and fears." This suggests that a city evolves with human-like emotions and characteristics, reflecting its collective psyche. As it matures, the city can produce prophets or visionaries, symbolizing its peak of creativity and influence. However, after reaching this stage, it tends to decline, aging and falling into neglect or solitude, often worse than its earlier states.

"The neighborhoods are still sitting on the side of the road, they do not realize that the city is dying, they sit like the statues erected, the darkness, and the future pains lie over their eyelids." Durrell emphasizes how parts of the city remain unaware of its decline, frozen in place like statues. The darkness and impending suffering symbolize the city's decay, warning that those unaware may be vulnerable to the inevitable decline or loss of vitality, highlighting the importance of vigilance and awareness of change.