You forget what you want to remember, and you remember what you want to forget.
In Cormac McCarthy's novel "The Road," a profound observation about memory is expressed: we often let slip the things we wish to hold onto, while the memories we'd rather erase linger on. This notion reflects the complexity of human emotions and the struggle between our desires and realities. The characters navigate a bleak post-apocalyptic world where their thoughts and recollections shape their experience of survival.
This quote encapsulates the essence of how trauma and suffering can influence perception. It suggests that our minds can betray us, emphasizing the theme of loss and longing that permeates the narrative. The interplay between remembering and forgetting shapes the characters' journeys, illustrating how memories can both haunt and guide them in their desolate existence.