I am willing without further exercise in pain to open my heart. And this needs no doctrine or theology of suffering. We love apocalypses too much, and crisis ethics and florid extremism with its thrilling language. Excuse me, no. I've had all the monstrosity I want.
In Saul Bellow's "Herzog," the protagonist expresses a deep desire to be open and vulnerable without the need for traditional concepts of suffering or pain. He suggests that the complexities of love and emotional connection should not be tied to doctrines that require hardship or turmoil. Instead of embracing narratives filled with extreme crises and dramatic language, he seems to reject the glorification of suffering that often dominates discussions about love and existence.
His statement reflects a weariness with the conventions of apocalyptic thinking and a longing for genuine emotional intimacy that is free from the burdens of extreme experiences. By stating he has had enough of monstrosity, the character seeks a more straightforward approach to understanding his own feelings and relationships, emphasizing a desire for peace over chaos.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
