In her book "The Accursed," Joyce Carol Oates explores the human tendency to create justifications for our illogical choices and behaviors. The quote emphasizes how people often rationalize actions that lack reason, revealing a deep-seated need to impose order on chaos. This ability to explain the inexplicable showcases the paradox of human reasoning, where we cling to explanations even when confronted with the absurd.

Oates delves into the complexities of the human psyche, suggesting that our attempts to make sense of the irrational underscore our struggle for understanding amid confusion. By portraying characters who embody this conflict, she invites readers to reflect on how we navigate a world filled with inexplicable events and emotions, ultimately highlighting the fragility of our rationality in the face of the irrational.