In this excerpt, the character reflects on the nature of self-perception and connection. He imagines that his voice, when heard, elevates him in the eyes of someone special, suggesting a desire for approval and transcendence. As his relationship with her deepens, he confronts the haunting reality of individual isolation, where he hears an impersonal voice echoing thoughts of loneliness and the impossibility of truly giving oneself to another.

This internal struggle highlights the tension between the longing for intimacy and the recognition of personal barriers that prevent genuine connection. The notion that "we are our own" underlines the struggle for individuality amidst the desire for union, revealing a profound philosophical observation of the human experience as depicted in Joyce's work.