In Mark Helprin's "A New York Winter's Tale," the elder Marratta articulates a profound truth about the nature of discovery. He believes that great breakthroughs arise not solely from confidence and certainty, but also from doubt. This interplay between skepticism and assurance creates an environment ripe for unexpected and remarkable findings.
Marratta’s insight suggests that questioning and uncertainty can lead to creative breakthroughs and serendipitous moments. In essence, it is the clash of these opposing forces that clears the path for extraordinary occurrences, emphasizing that doubt has its own valuable role in the pursuit of knowledge and discovery.