The ocean was waiting with grand and bitter provocations, as if it invited you to think how deep it was, how much colder than your blood or saltier, or to outguess it, to tell which were its feints or passes and which its real intentions, meaning business.
The quote from Saul Bellow's "The Adventures of Augie March" evokes a sense of the ocean's complexity and its ability to provoke deep thoughts. It illustrates the ocean as a vast entity that invites contemplation about its depth, temperature, and salinity, suggesting that it holds mysteries beyond human understanding. The phrasing indicates a challenge for the observer to decipher the ocean's true nature and intentions, reflecting on the unpredictability of nature.
This exploration of the ocean symbolizes broader themes of life and existence. The ocean can be seen as a metaphor for the challenges and uncertainties one faces, drawing parallels between its feints and the unpredictable occurrences in life. Bellow’s prose invites readers to ponder not just the physical qualities of the ocean but also the philosophical implications of navigating through life’s deeper waters with awareness and curiosity.