Everything that falls upon the eye is apparition, a sheet dropped over the world's true workings. The nerves and the brain are tricked, and one is left with dreams that these specters loose their hands from ours and walk away, the curve of the back and the swing of the coat so familiar as to imply that they should be permanent fixtures of the world, when in fact nothing is more perishable.
The quote from Marilynne Robinson's "Housekeeping" reflects on the deceptive nature of perception. It suggests that what we see is merely an illusion, akin to a veil that obscures the true essence of reality. Our senses mislead us, creating a facade of familiarity and permanence in our lives when, in truth, everything is transient and ephemeral.
This perspective invites readers to question their understanding of reality and the permanence of things they hold dear. The imagery of specters and fleeting moments challenges us to recognize that while we may form attachments to the world, those connections are often illusory, emphasizing the fragility of existence and the inevitability of change.
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