The world was once haunted by Titus Oates's self-made epitaph: I am going outside and may be some time. Well, we are going inside and may be some time, we are inside, and have been for awhile. The poetry of courage is replaced by the poetry of confinement, the art of the endless open channel overtaken by the art of the perpetually retold tale. Our successful withdrawal from the risks of winter makes for a lessening of its intensities. We have all gone inside, and may be some time.
In his work "Winter: Five Windows on the Season," Adam Gopnik reflects on a shift in human experience from the boldness of exploration to a state of confinement. He references the poignant words of Titus Oates, evoking a sense of being enclosed and perhaps even retreating from the world. As society grapples with the challenges of winter, this shift highlights a transformation in how we engage with both the season and our surroundings.
The metaphor of going "inside" suggests not only physical confinement but also an emotional and psychological withdrawal from the uncertainties of life. Gopnik’s observation indicates a collective acceptance of safety that diminishes the vividness often associated with winter's challenges. Rather than celebrating the wild beauty of winter, people have turned to recounting their tales, emphasizing a narrative of resilience that is shaped by the confines of their experiences.
