...that thing that's taken refuge there in that zinc bucket, without a wife, a career, a conapt, or money or the possibility of encountering any of these, still persists. For reasons unknown to me its stake in existence is greater than mine.
In Philip K. Dick's "Now Wait for Last Year," the narrative explores themes of existence and purpose through the character's reflections on a seemingly insignificant being residing in a zinc bucket. This being, lacking social structures such as a spouse, job, or home, symbolizes a raw form of existence that raises questions about the value of life beyond material success and societal validation.
The protagonist recognizes the relentless spirit of this entity, which endures with a profound tenacity that contrasts sharply with his own struggles. This realization sparks contemplation about the nature of existence, leading to the profound observation that some beings may possess a deeper connection to life than those who are more conventionally successful.
