The narrator expresses a sense of disconnection from the younger generation, feeling out of touch with their beliefs and experiences. He reflects on his own feelings of deceit, as he grapples with the disparity between his perceptions and the idealized notions that others hold, particularly regarding places like Tivoli. This inner conflict highlights his struggle to reconcile external expectations with his own reality.

This passage reveals a deeper philosophical contemplation on happiness and authenticity. While he recognizes the joy that others find in Tivoli, he cannot genuinely share in that sentiment. His acknowledgment of this emotional distance underscores the complexity of human experience and the challenges of navigating personal beliefs against societal ideals.