In his work "In Sunlight and in Shadow," Mark Helprin contrasts the richness of real-life experiences with the limitations of theoretical concepts. He emphasizes that true fulfillment and balance in life cannot be captured through abstract thinking or rigid systems. Instead, genuine living encapsulates a complexity that transcends mere ideas.

Helprin questions the tendency of individuals to focus on abstractions, suggesting that such pursuits can lead to wasted time. He illustrates this by likening attempts to control life's depth and beauty to trying to tame an elephant with ineffective tools, underscoring the inadequacy of theories in capturing the essence of human experience.