These memories sustained him, but not so easily. Too often they reminded him of where he was when he last summoned them. They lay on the far side of a great divide in time, as significant as B.C. and A.D. Before prison, before the war, before the sight of a corpse became a banality.
The character reflects on his memories, which serve as a source of comfort but also a reminder of the stark change in his life circumstances. These memories transport him to a time before his imprisonment and the traumatic experiences of war, emphasizing a deep divide in his existence.
This contrast highlights the transformation he has undergone, making the past feel almost foreign. The memories, once cherished, now carry the weight of loss and the harshness of his current reality, illustrating the profound impact of his experiences on his perception of life.