But the effort, the effort! And as the marrow is eaten out of a man's bones and the soul out of his belly, contending with the strange rapacity of savage life, the lower stage of creation, he cannot make the effort any more.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the exhaustion and depletion one experiences when trying to survive in a harsh and demanding environment. The phrase "the marrow is eaten out of a man's bones" alludes to the physical and emotional toll that is taken from constantly struggling to confront the relentless challenges of savage life. The reference to the "lower stage of creation" suggests the primal nature of this struggle. Ultimately, the individual becomes so drained that they can no longer summon the strength to persevere and make further efforts.

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