Complete bliss is something that happened. There is something we miss every time we are alone with ourselves, but it doesn't come back. It appears to us from the past with a pale memory, like that soft light that filters through the peephole in the door.
The quote from Naguib Mahfouz's "Palace of Desire" reflects on the elusive nature of complete bliss, suggesting that it is a fleeting experience from the past that we can never fully recapture. The comparison to a soft light coming through a peephole symbolizes how we might catch glimpses of happiness, but these moments remain distant and intangible, leading to a sense of loss whenever we confront solitude.
Moreover, the author underscores the idea that solitude brings with it a profound longing for something lost. As we spend time alone, we may become acutely aware of this absence, which serves as a reminder of the joys we have experienced but cannot revisit. Overall, the passage paints a melancholic picture of memory and yearning, evoking the bittersweet nature of human experiences.