I shouldn't have taken a vow of silence, I told myself. What did I want? Nothing much. Just a memorial. But what is a memorial, when you come right down to it, but a commemoration of wounds endured? Endured, and resented. Without memory, there can be no revenge.
The narrator reflects on the consequences of taking a vow of silence, questioning its worth and expressing a desire for a memorial. This longing is tied to personal experiences and memories, illustrating a need for acknowledgment of past suffering. The memorial symbolizes both recognition and the complexity of grappling with pain.
At the heart of the narrator's contemplation is the idea that a memorial serves to honor the wounds that one has faced. It is a reminder that without memories of these hardships, the concept of revenge becomes meaningless. This interplay between memory, suffering, and the desire for retribution encapsulates a deep emotional struggle in the narrative.