In "The Hours" by Michael Cunningham, the protagonist reflects on a profound and enduring fascination that she considers to be the essence of her existence. Despite feeling that describing it as her "soul" might be overly sentimental, she grapples with finding an appropriate term to capture the depth of this intrinsic part of herself. This internal conflict highlights her quest for meaning and identity beyond the physical realm. The notion of a soul suggests something that persists beyond bodily death, hinting at a longing for immortality through one's passions and experiences. This fascination manifests as a significant aspect of her identity, influencing her thoughts and actions. Ultimately, it raises questions about what constitutes our true selves and what elements of our lives we deem worthy of lasting significance.

This determined, abiding fascination is what she thinks of as her soul {an embarrassing, sentimental word, but what else to call it?}; the part that might conceivably survive the death of the body.