The quote reflects a profound sense of despair about human existence and memory, suggesting that people are often unable to cope with the truly dreadful aspects of life. It underscores the idea that the weight of our experiences can become so overwhelming that we forget the intensity of our distress over time. The inability to remember what seemed unbearable also hints at a disconnect between our past feelings and present reality.
This perspective invites readers to contemplate the fleeting nature of pain and the human condition. It may suggest that our emotional experiences, while impactful, are fleeting and subject to the passage of time. Faulkner's work often navigates the complexities of memory, suffering, and the intricacies of family dynamics, emphasizing that even the most dreadful circumstances can become blurred and distant as we move forward in life.