...surely there is something in madness, even the demoniac, which Satan flees, aghast at his own handiwork, and which God looks on in pity..
In William Faulkner's "Absalom, Absalom!", the quote reflects the complex nature of madness and its profound impact on the human experience. It suggests that even within madness, there exists an unsettling truth that can provoke fear in the darkest of entities, such as Satan. This perspective invites readers to contemplate the relationship between madness and divine insight, implying that there is a certain depth in disarray that can evoke both dread and compassion.
The mention of God looking upon madness with pity highlights the tragic aspect of the human condition. It suggests that madness is not merely a loss of reason but also a reflection of deeper struggles and suffering. Faulkner's work encourages an understanding of madness as a multifaceted phenomenon that invites both fear and sympathy, urging readers to explore the layers of human emotion and the divine response to suffering.
