She was exquisite, and he feared that he was blinded to everything else, that he was drawn to her by weakness, that his passion for her was incomplete. Know ing all too well the deeply religious love of the Italian poets for women they had merely seen on the street, he feared that his infatuation for Lia could never be compared to the elemental union that can occur between men and women when God is present and light surrounds them.
The protagonist experiences a profound infatuation for Lia, describing her beauty as exquisite yet fearing that his feelings may stem from a personal weakness. He contemplates the depth of his passion and wonders if it is truly substantial or merely superficial. This inner turmoil stems from an awareness of the powerful, almost divine connections celebrated in Italian poetry, where love is intertwined with spirituality and enlightenment.
He grapples with the apprehension that his attraction might not reach the same level of profound intimacy that poets describe—a union blessed by divine presence. The contrast he draws between his transient longing for Lia and the transcendent love characterized by deeper connections highlights his insecurity, as he searches for meaning and authenticity in his emotions amidst a backdrop of idealized love.
