a fellow is more afraid of the trouble he might have than he ever is of the trouble he's already got. He'll cling to trouble he's used to before he'll risk a change. Yes. A man will talk about how he'd like to escape from living folks. But it's the dead folks that do him the damage. It's the dead ones that lay quiet in one place and dont try to hold him, that he cant escape from.
In William Faulkner's "Light in August," the excerpt captures the essence of human fear regarding change. It illustrates how individuals often prefer the troubles they are familiar with over the potential challenges of the unknown. Despite expressing a desire to break free from their current situations, people may hesitate to leave behind what is safe, even if it is troublesome. This highlights a common tendency to cling to the known instead of embracing uncertainty.
The passage further reflects on the idea that while living individuals can create chaos and disruption, it is the memories and unresolved issues related to the deceased that can cause deeper emotional turmoil. The dead remain a constant presence, as they do not change or challenge the individual in the same way the living might. This acknowledgment emphasizes that one's internal struggles often stem from the past, which can be more damaging than immediate, tangible troubles faced in everyday life.
