We need huge pockets - such that our families fit in them, and our friends, and even people who are not in our lists, unfamiliar, whom we still want to protect. We need pockets for municipal districts and entire cities, pockets that can accommodate the entire universe. {...} But I knew that pockets are not so big. In the end, everyone will lose everyone. There is no such invention to prevent it, and therefore that night I felt a skew, like the very last turtle on which everyone else held.
by Jonathan Safran Foer
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The quote emphasizes the desire for expansive emotional and social "pockets" that can shelter not just loved ones, but also strangers and entire communities. The dream of creating such inclusive spaces reflects a longing for connection and protection, suggesting a boundless compassion for humanity. Yet, the realization dawns that these "pockets" have limitations, hinting at the inevitable loss every individual will face, despite our best efforts to embrace all.

As the narrator reflects on the futility of this quest, a sense of vulnerability emerges, capturing the poignant truth that no amount of emotional shelter can prevent separation or loss. The imagery of being the last turtle underscores a profound loneliness in the struggle for connection in a vast and indifferent world. Ultimately, this juxtaposition reveals both the beauty and fragility of human relationships, as well as the acceptance of loss as an intrinsic part of life.

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