She moved over the surface of life the way figure skaters move, fast and choreographed, but she never broke through the ice, she never pierced the surface and descended into those awful beautiful waters, she was never submerged and she never learned to swim in those currents, these currents: all the shadows and light and splendorous horrors that make up the riptides of life on earth.
The quote reflects a character who navigates through life with grace and speed, similar to a figure skater gliding on ice. This portrayal suggests a certain superficiality, as she remains on the surface without truly engaging with the deeper, often tumultuous experiences of existence. The imagery of ice signifies both beauty and fragility, illustrating how she avoids confronting the complexities beneath her polished exterior.
Moreover, the description indicates that she has not learned to cope with life's emotional depths, represented by "the awful beautiful waters." Her inability to swim symbolizes a fear or avoidance of embracing the darker aspects of life, which are intricately tied to joy and beauty. The currents represent the inevitable struggles and contrasts of human experience that she has chosen to bypass, leaving her disconnected from the full spectrum of life’s richness.
