The Circle Flashcards
“the dream is taxed”
The metaphor suggests that just as financial tax takes away a portion of money so too is a part of our dreams is taken away, nothing works out as planned. No one achieves their complete aspiration, we always lose some of it.
“we all resent the quarter bled off by the dark between the bowstring and the mark”
The metaphor describes our actions in life and how we are shooting into the unknown. Just as when you pull back the ‘bowstring’ to shoot the arrow, so too in life you take aim and make your plans. However, once you let go of the string you relinquish control and our yourself in the hands of fate.
The word choice of ‘bled’ implies and injury and highlights the theme of the fragility of human life.
“but the target also draws our aim - our will and nature’s are the same”
The metaphor suggests that the target (fate) has its own designs on the shooter (person), and that we can only hope and trust that our actions will result in something close to our intention.
The word choice of ‘our will and nature’s are the same’ links back to fate - we are as we are meant to be, there is no avoiding it, we have no power.
“and trust to Krishna or to fate to keep our arrows halfway straight”
The reference to the Hindu god suggests that regardless of your beliefs the result is the same, you have to trust that your intentions will not go too far astray.
“look at the little avatar of your muddy water-jar filling with the perfect ring singing under everything”
The image of the ‘perfect ring’ highlights that perfection cannot be created on purpose. Perfection is created without human intervention.
‘singing under everything’ implies that the pattern or melody is there, but it is hidden from us - we cannot influence it but it will always accompany us regardless of our intentions.
