In Thomas Pynchon's "Vineland," the protagonist reflects on her once liberated existence, where she could traverse time freely, bending it to her will. This ability granted her a sense of invulnerability, allowing for manipulation and anonymity in her pursuits. However, the narrative reveals a shift as she finds herself constrained by time's grasp, stripped of her previous freedoms.

The transformation from a weightless, invisible being to one confined by the limitations of time serves as a poignant commentary on the nature of existence. The idea suggests that despite her extraordinary powers, she is ultimately subject to the same vulnerabilities as any creature with sensations, highlighting a universal struggle against the inexorable passage of time.