In "Something Happened," Joseph Heller explores themes of anxiety and existential dread through the internal monologue of a character who feels impending doom. This sense of foreboding is highlighted in a quote where the character senses that someone close to them is about to discover a life-altering secret. The weight of uncertainty looms heavily, reflecting the protagonist's fear of exposure and the consequences of hidden truths.
The feeling of an imminent revelation suggests a deep insecurity and paranoia that permeates the character's thoughts. This creates a tension that resonates throughout the narrative, as the protagonist grapples with their thoughts and the possible fallout of their undisclosed past. Heller's work masterfully encapsulates the complexities of human psyche when faced with the possibility of losing everything due to unexpected revelations.