In middle age, individuals often experience a heightened sense of mystery and confusion about their lives. John Cheever expresses this feeling as one of profound loneliness, suggesting that even the beauty surrounding him and the essence of love appear to fade away. This reflects a deep introspection that comes with aging, evoking a sense of loss and disillusionment.

Cheever speaks to a feeling of having taken a wrong turn in life without any clear understanding of when it occurred. He acknowledges the difficulty in reconciling past decisions and the subsequent feelings of regret, suggesting that this introspection can lead to emotional turmoil as one navigates through the complexities of middle age.