"It is misery, you know, unspeakable misery for the man who lives alone and who detests sordid, casual affairs; not old enough to do without women, but not young enough to be able to go and look for one without shame!"

This quote by Luigi Pirandello speaks with the plight of a man who remains in a difficult situation. He is not old adequate to be content with living alone, however not young enough to be able to head out and try to find a female without feeling ashamed. This is an unpleasant presence for him, as he is unable to find companionship and is forced to sustain the solitude of living alone. He also detests the idea of having casual affairs, as he desires something more meaningful and enduring. This quote speaks to the trouble of discovering a balance in between desiring companionship and not wanting to choose something less than what one desires. It is a difficult situation to be in, and one that can be rather isolating and lonely.