I returned to the university only after the Second World War, and, even then, not having been in the resistance, I had political difficulties." "Why weren't you in the resistance?" "I was tired. And you have to have a certain temperament. You have to be fixed on the point. You need what politicians have, which is the absence of a sense of mortality. It comes, like a drug, from adoration and deference. Revolutionaries get it from dreams. They say that nothing is apolitical, that politics, the bedrock of life, is something from which you cannot depart. I say, fuck them.
The narrative reflects on the complexities of returning to university post-World War II, highlighting the political challenges faced due to a lack of involvement in the resistance. The protagonist acknowledges feelings of exhaustion and recognizes that a certain mindset is required for political engagement, one that disregards the fleeting nature of life and mortality. This introspection delves into the essence of revolutionary fervor, suggesting that such passion stems from dreams and a disconnect from reality.
The quoted dialogue captures a deep skepticism toward the notion of politics as an inescapable aspect of existence. The protagonist dismisses the idea that every action is political, expressing frustration with the notion that one must be politically engaged to derive meaning from life. Instead, he embraces a more individualistic perspective, prioritizing personal convictions over societal expectations, and challenging the common belief that everything is intertwined with politics.
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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!
