In the quote from Wallace Stegner's "Angle of Repose," the author reflects on the deep emotional connection people have with their home places. He questions whether Americans can truly experience the familiarity and love of a hometown after experiencing the disconnection caused by modern life's transience. Stegner acknowledges that while returning home is possible, the likelihood of attaining that profound connection grows slimmer as society suffers from frequent relocations and shallow living.

Stegner's sentiment captures the essence of nostalgia and the longing for a sense of belonging that seems increasingly elusive in contemporary life. He implies that the modern experience, characterized by divorces and constant movement, dilutes our relationships with places and memories that once shaped our identities. His reflections serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of grounding ourselves in a community and the reality that while one may physically return home, the emotional landscape may have irrevocably changed.