The quote from Joyce Carol Oates' "First Love: A Gothic Tale" evokes a powerful emotional experience tied to memory and longing. The speaker struggles to recall the visage and voice of someone significant, suggesting that such attempts are fraught with risk. The metaphor of a key turning in a lock symbolizes the intense feelings associated with touch and intimacy, signifying how these moments are deeply locked within the speaker's memory.

Oates captures the delicate balance between cherishing memories and the fear of losing them. The act of remembrance seems to threaten the very essence of the emotions tied to that person. This tension illustrates the complexity of first love, where nostalgia can bring both joy and heartache, highlighting the fragility of human connections and the profound impact they leave on our lives.