The quote reflects the deep despair and fear of isolation experienced by the character. She feels overwhelmed by her loneliness, fearing that her life, characterized by desperation, is reaching a final chapter rather than a hopeful beginning. This sense of impending doom and the image of death loom large in her mind, symbolizing the emotional struggles she faces.

Her tears signify not only her personal suffering but also the universal fear of mortality and the emptiness that can accompany solitude. Cheever captures this complex emotional state, illustrating the profound impact of loneliness on the human psyche and the haunting thought of an unfinished life met with an ending that feels inevitable.