In the book "Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang" by Joyce Carol Oates, a dialogue explores the philosophical idea of existence and permanence. One character questions the belief in souls, leading to a discussion on the nature of life and what it means to endure. Legs, another character, humorously injects a practical perspective by comparing life to a flame that is vibrant and real while it burns but is ultimately transient.

This exchange highlights the contrast between the spiritual notion of an eternal soul and the acceptance of life's fleeting moments. Legs suggests that even if souls exist, it doesn't guarantee an everlasting presence; much like a flame, life has its peaks and inevitable fades. The conversation encapsulates a deeper understanding of life’s impermanence, celebrating its beauty despite the inevitability of endings.