Some Promised Land. The honey was there, but the milk we brought in with our goats. To people in California, God gives a magnificent coastline, a movie industry, and Beverly Hills. To us He gives sand. To Cannes He gives a plush film festival. We get the PLO. Our winters are rainy, our summers hot. To people who didn't know how to wind a wristwatch He gives underground oceans of oil. To us He gives hernia, piles, and anti-Semitism.
In Joseph Heller's "God Knows," the author uses stark contrasts to illustrate the differing experiences of people based on their geographical locations. He reflects on the promises and offerings of life through the lens of his own environment, emphasizing the disparity between the blessings received by Californians, such as a glamorous lifestyle, and the harsher realities faced by those in his own region, including social and economic challenges. This metaphor of God's gifts highlights the perceived inequities in fortune between different groups.
Heller further explores the themes of irony and dissatisfaction by juxtaposing the idyllic landscapes and industries of others with the struggles and disappointments of his own community. He mentions the unintended consequences of living in a less fortunate area, pointing out the burdens of health issues and societal prejudice. Through this commentary, Heller poignantly reveals a deeper understanding of what it means to seek paradise and grapple with the harsh truths of existence.