Quote by Richard Yates
If my work has a theme, I suspect it is a simple one: that most human beings are inescapably alone, and therein lies their tragedy.
Summary
This quote suggests that the underlying theme in the speaker's work revolves around the notion that the majority of individuals are inherently isolated and lonely, which becomes the source of their sorrow. It implies that despite the various connections and interactions people have, there is an ultimate existential solitude experienced by every human being. This perspective highlights the tragedy associated with this inherent aloneness, implying that it is an unavoidable aspect of the human condition that leads to a sense of sadness or despair.