I've given myself to you. You may have my body, soul, everything. Time passes, and all I want is the intimacy that slows, defeats. and confounds it. Love, that's what it is. You've always made the mistake that men often make, and carried forward the great fault that mars civilisation, which is that you believe that your philosophy is deeper than love.
In Mark Helprin's "Freddy and Fredericka," the speaker conveys a profound devotion, offering every aspect of themselves—body, soul, and essence—to another. They express a longing for intimacy that transcends the passage of time, suggesting that true love is characterized by a deep, slow connection that can challenge and misunderstand the very nature of existence. This yearning captures the essence of romantic depth that lingers beyond mere physical attraction.
The speaker critiques a common error in thinking, presenting a philosophical belief that often overlooks the power of love. They highlight a tendency to prioritize intellectual understanding over emotional connection, suggesting that this misstep is a fundamental flaw in human civilization. Ultimately, the message emphasizes that love, with its complexities and richness, should be valued above all else, calling for a recognition of its superiority to abstract philosophical ideas.
