How could I have been so ignorant? she thinks. So stupid, so unseeing, so given over to carelessness. But without such ignorance, such carelessness, how could we live? If you knew what was going to happen, if you knew everything that was going to happen next-if you knew in advance the consequences of your own actions-you'd be doomed. You'd be as ruined as God. You'd be a stone. You'd never eat or drink or laugh or get out of bed in the morning. You'd never love anyone, ever again. You'd never dare to.
The character reflects on her past ignorance and carelessness, feeling a mix of shame and regret. She questions how she could have been so blind to the truth and the consequences of her actions. This contemplation leads to a deeper understanding of the necessity of ignorance for a fulfilling life.
The narrator suggests that awareness of future events and their outcomes could lead to despair and paralysis. If one were fully aware of all that is to come, life would become unbearable, devoid of emotion and spontaneity. Ignorance thus serves as a protective mechanism, allowing us to live, love, and engage with the world without being overwhelmed by its potential tragedies.
