You tell me there is no fighting or hatred or desire in the Town. That is a beautiful dream, and I do want your happiness. But the absence of fighting or hatred or desire also means the opposites do not exist either. No joy, no communion, no love. Only where there is disillusionment and depression and sorrow does happiness arise; without despair or loss, there is no hope.
The quote from Haruki Murakami's "Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World" explores the complex relationship between emotions and human experience. It suggests that a seemingly utopian existence, free from conflict and negative feelings, may ultimately result in the absence of essential positive emotions. Happiness, love, and joy are depicted as intertwined with suffering and struggle, meaning that without experiencing despair or loss, individuals may not recognize or appreciate the beauty of hope or true joy.
