Had she been an old woman who long ago in her youth sang beautifully, one might have said that she had learned to use the diminished nature of her voice to maximum effect, that it was a lesson in how to live with damage, how to make peace with it and use it for what it can do. But she was not an old woman.
The passage reflects on the idea of embracing one’s limitations and transforming them into strengths. It suggests that an older woman, who once had a beautiful singing voice, might have learned to adapt, turning her diminished talents into a source of wisdom and life experience. This illustrates a profound acceptance of life’s imperfections and how one can harmonize with their past to find meaning and beauty in it.
However, the subject of the quote is not an old woman, which signifies a different journey or struggle. It implies that while wisdom can come from age and experience, the character in question is still navigating her challenges. This difference highlights the ongoing process of dealing with one's flaws and finding peace amidst them, suggesting that such acceptance can evolve over time.