I should not yield to it, he told himself once again as he walked along carrying the briefcase. Compulsion-obsession-phobia. But he could not free himself. It in my grip, I in its, he thought.
The protagonist struggles with an overwhelming sense of compulsion, feeling trapped in a cycle of obsession and phobia. As he carries his briefcase, he reflects on his inability to resist these intrusive thoughts, recognizing the grip they have on his life. It's a constant battle between his desire for freedom and the psychological constraints that bind him.
This internal conflict represents a profound struggle for autonomy against oppressive thoughts. Despite his resolve to not succumb to these feelings, he finds himself ensnared, indicating a deep sense of entrapment that resonates throughout his journey in Philip K. Dick's narrative, highlighting the challenges of maintaining one's identity amid external control.