Her future, she thought, was likely to be worse than her past, for after her years of contented renunciation, she had slipped back into desire and longing; she found joyless days of distasteful occupation harder and harder; she found the image of the intense and varied life she yearned for, and despaired of, becoming more and more importunate.

Summary

This quote highlights the protagonist's belief that her future holds greater despair and suffering compared to her past. Having embraced a life of renunciation, she now struggles with desires and longings, making her days of monotonous work increasingly unbearable. Meanwhile, her yearning for a vibrant and fulfilling existence intensifies, creating a sense of hopelessness as she doubts its realization. This interpretation emphasizes the contrast between the protagonist's initial contentment and her present discontent, suggesting a pessimistic outlook on the trajectory of her life.

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