Darling, my darling, don't think that I don't love you or that I didn't love you, but it's precisely because I love you that I couldn't have become what I am today if you were still here. It's impossible to have a child and despise the world as it is, because that's the world we've put the child into. The child makes us care about the world, think about it's future, willingly join in its racket and its turmoils, take its incurable stupidity seriously.
In this excerpt from Milan Kundera's "Identity," the speaker expresses a profound sentiment towards a loved one. They clarify that their love is not in question, but rather that this very affection has compelled them to evolve into someone new. The mention of a child highlights the responsibilities that come with love, suggesting that becoming a parent alters one's perception of the world. The speaker feels that to nurture a child, one must confront and engage with the world's complexities and challenges.
The passage reflects the tension between personal growth and the weight of familial bonds. It emphasizes the idea that love and parenthood drive individuals to consider their impact on the world and future generations. The necessity to embrace the chaos and imperfections of life, rather than retreat from them, indicates a transformation spurred by love. Ultimately, it underlines the necessity of understanding and taking part in the very world that one might find frustrating or flawed.
