When they'd been children there'd been a fallen log in the river, and John had walked on it, keeping his balance, instructing his brother: If you don't think about it, you won't fall.-That would be a perfect epitaph, thought Tyler malevolently, crushing the space invader raindrops with his windshield wipers.
In "The Royal Family" by William T. Vollmann, memories of childhood play a significant role in the characters' reflections on life. John recalls a time when he and his brother navigated a fallen log over a river, sharing lessons about balance and focus. This moment represents both the innocence of youth and the importance of mental concentration in facing challenges.
As Tyler reflects on this memory, he experiences a darker interpretation, thinking that the phrase could serve as a fitting epitaph, hinting at a deeper, possibly cynical view of life. His act of crushing raindrops with his windshield wipers symbolizes a struggle against life's uncontrollable elements, revealing his inner turmoil and perspective on existence.
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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!
