Even Tyler would be infected by this surprising outbreak of sadness, which he certainly would not have felt had he simply never happened to see Lily again. This taught him the vanity and egotism of grief, which so often compromises nothing except childish rebellion against the closing off of possibilities.
In this passage, the character Tyler experiences a profound, unexpected sadness upon encountering Lily again, which leads him to reflect on the nature of grief. He realizes that this feeling is rooted in his own vanity and self-centeredness, as his sadness seems to arise from his personal sense of loss rather than any genuine connection with Lily. This moment highlights the emotional complexities tied to remembrance and longing.
Tyler's experience serves as a lesson about the often egotistical nature of grief, suggesting that it can sometimes act as a form of rebellion against the reality of lost opportunities. Rather than providing true solace, grief may merely reflect an individual's struggle with the closure of possibilities in life, revealing the underlying selfishness that can accompany feelings of sorrow.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
