The quote from Sigrid Nunez's "The Friend" reflects the deep connection between human emotions and the innocence observed in animals. It suggests that our pity for animals is a reflection of our own vulnerabilities and the loss of our innocence. As humans, we experience a journey through innocence that ultimately gets overshadowed by life's harsh realities, while animals remain in that pure state throughout their lives.

Nunez highlights that witnessing the suffering of an innocent creature, such as a duck, can evoke profound feelings of empathy and outrage. This evokes a sense of empathy not just for the animal but also for the innocence that is so easily damaged in the world. The cruelty inflicted on defenseless animals serves as a poignant reminder of the barbarity that can exist in society, stirring a deep moral response within us.