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.
Take but degree away, untune that string, and hark, what discord follows!
I have no religious belief myself, but I don't think we should fight about it. In particular, I think that we should not rubbish moderate religious leaders like the Archbishop of Canterbury because I think we all agree that extreme fundamentalism is a threat, and we need all the allies we can muster against it.
Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat for it is momentary.
There is very little moral mixture in the 'Antislavery' feeling of this country. A great deal is abstract philanthropy; part is hatred of slaveholders; a great part is jealousy for white labor, very little is consciousness of wrong done and the wish to right it.
The world was to me a secret which I desired to devine.
I would not enter on my list of friends_x000D_ _x000D_ (Though graced with polished manners and fine sense,_x000D_ _x000D_ Yet wanting sensibility) the man_x000D_ _x000D_ Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm.
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