Because there is something in the touch of flesh with flesh which abrogates, cuts sharp and straight across the devious intricate channels of decorous ordering, which enemies as well as lovers know because it makes them both:---touch and touch of that which is the citadel of the central I-Am's private own: not spirit, soul; the liquorish and ungirdled mind is anyone's to take in any any darkened hallway of this earthly tenement. But let flesh touch with flesh, and watch the fall of all the eggshell shibboleth of caste and color too.
In William Faulkner's "Absalom, Absalom!", the act of physical touch between individuals is depicted as a powerful force that transcends social boundaries. This intimate connection cuts through societal norms and classifications, revealing the raw humanity within both enemies and lovers. The essence of one's identity is laid bare through this flesh-to-flesh contact, suggesting that deeper truths emerge when people interact on a physical level.
Faulkner suggests that while the mind can engage in abstract thought and manipulation, it is the tangible touch that dismantles barriers created by culture and class. This intimacy can expose the fragility of societal constructs like caste and color, ultimately emphasizing the shared experience of being human. Through the interplay of physicality, the most profound connections and revelations occur, reminding readers of the fundamental yet complex nature of human relationships.
