He had been taught that language was essentially inadequate, that it could never speak what was there, that it only spoke itself.He thought about the death mask. He could and could not say that the mask and the man were dead. What had happened to him was that the ways in which it be said had become more interesting than the idea that it could not.
The character reflects on the limitations of language, having been taught that it cannot truly convey reality. Language is seen as self-referential and inadequate, unable to encapsulate the full essence of existence. This leads to a contemplation of a death mask, symbolizing the duality of existence and non-existence.
He recognizes the paradox in expressing that both the mask and the man are dead, revealing a deeper engagement with language's potential. Instead of being hindered by its inadequacy, he finds that exploring the complexities of expression is more intriguing than simply accepting its limitations. This shift in perspective highlights the richness of language, even in its failures to communicate fully.
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