It was as if the main screw in his head, which held his whole life together, had become stripped. The screw would not go in, would not come out, but turned in the same groove without catching hold, and it was impossible to stop turning it.

Summary

This quote suggests that the person's mental and emotional stability has been compromised. The metaphorical "main screw" symbolizes the essence of his identity and purpose, and its stripping suggests that he feels lost and directionless. The constant turning without catching hold represents his struggle to find a solution or a way to fix his life. It conveys a sense of helplessness and a lack of control over his own thoughts and actions.

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