Towards the end of your life you have something like a pain schedule to fill out-a long schedule like a federal document, only it's your pain schedule. Endless categories. First, physical causes-like arthritis, gallstones, menstrual cramps. New category, injured vanity, betrayal, swindle, injustice. But the hardest items of all have to do with love. The question then is: So why does everybody persist? If love cuts them up so much....
In Saul Bellow's "More Die of Heartbreak," the author reflects on life’s painful experiences, categorizing them like a formal document. He begins with physical ailments such as arthritis and gallstones, but then delves into deeper emotional wounds stemming from betrayal and injustice. Among these, the most profound pain arises from issues related to love, highlighting its complex nature and capacity to inflict suffering.
Bellow poses a poignant question about the resilience of the human spirit: if love can cause such profound hurt, why do people continue to pursue it? This inquiry underscores the paradox of love, suggesting that despite its potential for pain, it remains an essential and compelling part of life that people are unwilling to abandon, perhaps due to its ability to bring meaning and connection.
