There is something fascinating about what moral suffering can do to someone who is in no obvious way a weak or feeble person. It's more insidious even than what physical illness can do, because there is no morphine drip or spinal block or radical surgery to alleviate it. Once you're in its grip, it's as though it will have to kill you for you to be free of it. Its raw realism is like nothing else.
In Philip Roth's "The Human Stain," the author explores the profound impact of moral suffering on individuals who appear strong and resilient. This type of anguish is particularly intriguing as it operates beneath the surface, affecting a person's psyche in a way that is often more subtle and damaging than physical ailments. Unlike physical pain, which can be directly treated and alleviated, moral suffering can become an inescapable burden that profoundly alters one's existence.
The portrayal of moral suffering is haunting; it grips individuals tightly, sometimes leading to a sense of hopelessness. Roth suggests that the weight of this internal struggle can be so intense that freedom from it may only come through death. The vivid realism of such emotional turmoil stands as a testament to the complexities of human experience, emphasizing how deep-seated psychological pain can challenge even the most seemingly robust individuals.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
