For if we are our own force, we are also a servant of the forces of the dead. So we have to be bold enough to live with all the magical forces at loose between the living and the dead. That is never free of dread. It takes bravery to live with beauty or wealth if we think of them as an existence connected to the messages, the curses, and the loyalties of the dead. In
In Norman Mailer's "The Fight," the author explores the complex relationship between the living and the dead, emphasizing that our existence is shaped by forces much larger than ourselves. He suggests that being our own force means also becoming a servant to the memories and influences of those who have passed away. Such a duality implies that our lives are intertwined with the remnants of the past, whether they present as blessings or burdens.
This interconnection demands courage, as embracing beauty or success may come at the cost of confronting the emotions and legacies associated with the deceased. Mailer highlights that navigating through these powerful, often daunting forces requires boldness, as one must face the dread that accompanies such profound ties to the past. Living fully demands an acceptance of these complexities, intertwining the fates of the living with the echoes of history.
