In Cormac McCarthy's novel "The Orchard Keeper," the line "And he no longer cared to tell which were things done and which dreamt" speaks to the blurred lines between reality and imagination experienced by the character. This reflects a deep psychological state where the boundaries of memory and reality become indistinct, indicating a profound disconnection from the outside world. The character’s indifference highlights a struggle with understanding his existence and experiences, as they become intertwined with dreams and fantasies.
This theme resonates throughout McCarthy's work, exploring the complexities of human perception and the impact of dreams on our realities. The quote encapsulates a transformative journey where actions and thoughts merge, leading to existential questions about what is real. It invites readers to consider the nature of consciousness and the narratives we create in our minds, suggesting that sometimes the line between lived experiences and imagined ones can fade into obscurity.