In Jeffrey Eugenides' novel, "The Virgin Suicides," the theme of legacy is poignantly explored through the lens of isolation and abandonment. The quote "Our only legacy would be the desertion" reflects the profound impact of the Lisbon sisters' tragic lives on their community. Their struggles and eventual fates leave an indelible mark on those around them, highlighting the void created by their absence.
This quote encapsulates the melancholy that permeates the story, suggesting that rather than a traditional legacy of achievements or memories, the sisters' lives are defined by loss and silence. Their desertion serves as a haunting reminder of the fragility of existence and the often-unseen battles that individuals face, resonating deeply with the idea that some legacies stem from the absence rather than the presence.