"But it is only since I have ceased to live that I think of these things and the other things. It is in the tranquility of decomposition that I remember the long confused emotion which was my life, and that I judge it, as it is said that God will judge me too, and with no less impertinence. To decompose is to live too, I know, I know, don't torment me, but one sometimes forgets." (p 32-3)
Is Molloy an account of life after death? Is Molloy even alive, or does he mean "ceased to live" less literally? Perhaps he has changed or evolved or regressed into a new person with a new way of life. The idea that decomposition is life too means that life goes on once we have perished. Do life and death have to contradict each other? I am not sure, clearly, if Molloy is alive or dead. But I am leaning toward the thought that he is telling this story of his life post-death. Maybe.
Thanks for bringing this up, Alli, because I found this quote interesting as well. Rather than thinking of "ceased to live" as literal, I found it to be more metaphorical-Molloy doesn't seem to be fully living his life. He is dependent upon others (and objects) to survive, especially because of his handicap (whatever that may be). So though Molloy may be alive (emphasis on the may), he has "cease[d] to live," at least in terms of a full and independent life. I also really like the last part of this quote when Molloy states, "To decompose is to live too, I know, I know, don't torment me, but one sometimes forgets." In this quote, it seems to me that life and death do not contradict each other, but instead are one in the same. From the moment we are born, we begin to decompose. We spend the entirety of our lifetime decomposing-living and dying occur at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning, I was reading this as Molloy is telling a story. He is close to death reliving his life as he writes. This would explain some of the time confusion and forgetting certain details. I personally do not think life and death contradict each other. And I agree with Mauren, from the moment we are born, we begin to die.
ReplyDelete