In Jonathan Safran Foer's "Everything Is Illuminated," the protagonist grapples with the complexities of pain and denial. The phrase "It does not hurt" reflects a common human tendency to suppress or minimize suffering. However, as this mantra is repeated, the facade of resilience begins to crack, revealing that persistent denial can intensify the very pain one seeks to avoid.

This insight underscores the struggle between facing emotional turmoil and the instinct to shield oneself from it. Eventually, the act of denying pain can lead to a deeper acknowledgment of hurt, suggesting that true healing requires confronting rather than evading our emotional scars.