In the excerpt, characters grapple with the complex interplay of identity and existence. Oliver’s inquiry about who is conjuring whom emphasizes a profound uncertainty about agency and selfhood. Ruth reflects on her existence, questioning whether she is merely a creation of Nao's imagination and whether she possesses any real substance or agency of her own. This introspection reveals her fear that her identity might be as ephemeral and insubstantial as the fragments of her name.

As Ruth contemplates her reality, she navigates a crisis of confidence about her sense of self. Despite her previous conviction in her own existence, the late-night reflections lead her to doubt her experiences and the authenticity of her being. The atmosphere of doubt and ambiguity suggests that personal identity may be intertwined with the perceptions of others, challenging her understanding of self-agency in the broader context of relationships and narratives.