But he was one of those weak creatures, void of pride, timorous, anaemic, hateful souls, full of shifty cunning, who face neither God nor man, who face not even themselves. It is disagreeable for me to recall and write these things, but I set them down that my story may lack nothing. Those who have escaped the dark and terrible aspects of life will find my brutality, my flash of rage in our final tragedy, easy enough to blame; for they know what is wrong as well as any, but not what is possible to tortured men. But those who have been under the shadow, who have gone down at last to elemental things, will have a wider charity.
The narrator reflects on a character who is portrayed as weak and cowardly, lacking any real pride or moral courage. This individual is depicted as deceitful, unable to confront either the divine or their own inner self. The narrator admits to finding it difficult to express these thoughts, but believes they are necessary for a complete account of their story. This perspective suggests a struggle with the darker elements of human nature, particularly as it relates to those who have suffered greatly.
The narrator acknowledges that those who have not experienced life's harsh realities may easily judge his raw emotions and actions as excessive. Yet, those who have endured similar suffering will likely understand his anger and brutality more deeply. By recognizing the complex emotions tied to trauma and survival, the narrative invites empathy for the darker sides of human experience and suggests that true understanding comes from having faced one's own shadows.
