In the current socio-political climate, he said to himself, committing suicide is absurd and redundant. Better to become an undercover poet.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that in challenging times, one should seek alternative forms of expression rather than resorting to despair.
In this quote, Roberto Bolano highlights the absurdity of choosing a drastic end in the face of difficult socio-political circumstances. Instead of succumbing to hopelessness, he advocates for embracing creativity, such as poetry, as a way to navigate and respond to the turmoil of the world. This perspective reflects a resilient and constructive approach to adversity, emphasizing the power of artistic expression as a means of survival and comment on society.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of art during crises.
Coincidence obeys no laws and if it does we don't know what they are. Coincidence, if you'll permit me the simile, is like the manifestation of God at every moment on our planet. A senseless God making senseless gestures at his senseless creatures. In that hurricane, in that osseous implosion, we find communion.
The sky, at sunset, looked like a carnivorous flower.
I'd obviously never heard of the group, but my ignorance in literary matters is to blame for that (every book in the world is out there waiting to be read by me).
Every book in the world is out there waiting to be read by me.
Bright colours in the west, giant butterflies dancing as night crept like a cripple toward the east.
Being alone makes us stronger. Thatβs the honest truth. But itβs cold comfort, since even if I wanted company no one will come near me anymore.
Industrial civilization is only possible when there's no self-denial. Self-indulgence up to the very limits imposed by hygiene and economics. Otherwise the wheels stop turning.
Propaganda does not deceive people; it merely helps them to deceive themselves.
In those days, our Declaration of Independence was held sacred by all, and thought to include all; but now, to aid in the making the bondage of the negro universal and eternal, it is assailed, and sneered at, and construed, and hawked at, and torn, till, if its framers could rise from their graves, they could not at all recognize it.
I have won important things for myself, but I'm going to destroy them, because I tell myself they have lost their meaning. I know that is not true. I know they are important, and that if I destroy them, I'll be destroying myself, as well.
I would choose freedom over comfort every time.
We didn't exactly believe your story.' Then --?' 'We believed your two hundred dollars.' 'You mean --' She seemed not to know what he meant. 'I mean that you paid us more than if you'd been telling the truth,' he explained blandly, 'and enough more to make it all right.
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