In Mark Helprin's novel "Freddy and Fredericka," a character reflects on the difficulty of removing ingrained habits or ideas. They liken this process to drilling something in place rather than taking it out. The analogy emphasizes how certain beliefs and behaviors can be deeply embedded, making it challenging to change or remove them once established.

Craig-Vyvyan reinforces this notion by comparing it to a screw; if the head of the screw is broken off, it becomes nearly impossible to extract it. This metaphor illustrates the frustration of attempting to undo what has been firmly set and highlights the complexities involved in changing one's mindset or actions.