In the narrative, Ulf grapples with the challenge of maintaining his high ideals and the pursuit of tolerance. He recognizes that striving for these lofty principles can be difficult, especially when confronted with everyday situations that test his patience. Ulf reflects on the nature of his identity as a Swede, which often comes with its own set of cultural expectations and challenges.

He acknowledges the importance of doing his best to embody these ideals while being conscious of the risk of losing touch with them. There's an underlying fear of becoming like those with different worldviews, possibly overly relaxed or less principled, which further complicates Ulf's journey of self-discovery and cultural belonging.