In this excerpt from Nick Hornby's "High Fidelity," a woman questions the narrator about his sense of self, prompting him to reflect on the fluctuating nature of his soul. He struggles with the idea that some days he feels full of vitality and purpose, while on other occasions, he feels empty and lacking. This inconsistency creates a desire for a more balanced emotional state, revealing the complexities of human experience and self-perception.

The narrator ultimately chooses not to disclose the nuances of his feelings to the woman, recognizing that she likely wouldn't understand his internal conflicts. Instead, he humorously gestures toward the metaphorical place where he keeps his soul, signifying the accessibility yet unpredictability of one's emotional landscape. This interaction illustrates the challenges of articulating personal struggles and the quest for emotional equilibrium.