In the novel "My Name Is Red" by Orhan Pamuk, the protagonist reflects on the concept of time and existence. The quote suggests that the narrator perceives their life as a brief moment caught between two vast realms of time: an infinite past before their birth and an endless future after death. This perspective highlights the transient nature of life and the weight of historical and personal legacy.

The narrator admits to having not contemplated these profound thoughts during their lifetime, illustrating a common human tendency to overlook existential questions. Instead, they lived in a fleeting present illuminated by experiences that contrast sharply with the darkness of the unknown before and after life. This reflection deepens the understanding of life as a temporary and precious interval amid eternal time.