Perhaps this is our strange and haunting paradox here in America -- that we are fixed and certain only when we are in movement. At any rate, that is how it seemed to young George Webber, who was never so assured of his purpose as when he was going somewhere on a train. And he never had the sense of home so much as when he felt that he was going there. It was only when he got there that his homelessness began.http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks07/0700231.txt

Summary

This quote highlights a perception unique to America - the idea that our sense of certainty and purpose is only found when we are in motion. The protagonist, George Webber, feels most assured and at home when he is traveling on a train, with a clear destination in mind. However, upon reaching his destination, he begins to feel a sense of homelessness and restlessness. This paradox suggests that Americans may find comfort and purpose in the act of moving and seeking, rather than in settling and staying put.

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