Incidentally, this is the only letter I'll send- don't think I'll turn you in, don't think for a second I'd alert the authorities, I mean, fuck them, and certainly, of course, fuck you, but above everything fuck them. I've always stood for that. Admittedly not much else.
In Denis Johnson's "Already Dead," the protagonist expresses strong disillusionment with authority and societal norms. He emphasizes that he won't betray someone, highlighting a sense of loyalty despite their complex relationship. His refusal to involve the authorities reflects a broader frustration with institutional power and the hypocrisy he perceives in the world around him.
This sentiment of rebellion against authority is a central theme in the narrative, as the character navigates personal struggles alongside a disdain for societal expectations. The quote captures a raw emotional honesty, suggesting that his defiance is rooted in a deeper, perhaps nihilistic, philosophy of life, where loyalty and contempt coexist in his worldview.