In his work, Walker Percy raises thought-provoking questions about the presence of Jews in contemporary cities compared to the absence of Hittites, despite the latter's significant historical stature. He points out that while encounters with Jewish individuals in diverse urban areas like New York or Paris are commonplace and not seen as unusual, the lack of any representation of Hittites sparks curiosity. This discrepancy leads to a deeper reflection on cultural survival and the factors that contribute to the endurance of certain groups over time.

Percy highlights the remarkable irony of this situation, emphasizing that one can find vibrant Jewish communities across the globe while the Hittites, a once-thriving civilization, have seemingly vanished from the contemporary landscape. By challenging readers to question why this is the case, he pushes them to ponder the broader implications of cultural memory and existence. The absence of Hittites today serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of cultural identity and the historical forces that shape which civilizations endure and which fade into obscurity.