Looking at her, thinking of her transported him, which struck him as vile because now it was hard for him not to despise the icy serenity of their earlier relations. And he knew that he should not love her, for she had been someone else whom he was supposed to love differently. -What is loneliness? Does the lonely space between two rocks vanish when spanned by a spider web?
by William T. Vollmann
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The protagonist experiences intense feelings of conflict as he reflects on his relationship with a woman who embodies a past love and a different emotional connection. His recognition of the change in his feelings creates a sense of repulsion toward the calmness of their previous interactions, suggesting that love can become complex and fraught with past memories. He grapples with the realization that his feelings are inappropriate, given that she represents someone he was expected to love in a distinct way.

This internal struggle raises profound questions about the nature of loneliness and connection. The metaphor of a spider web bridging the space between two rocks illustrates how fragile and temporary bonds can be, as they may not truly erase the emptiness that exists in solitude. The inquiry into what constitutes loneliness invites readers to ponder the deeper emotional landscapes that define human relationships, emphasizing that appearances can often be deceiving.

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