"It is death that goes down to the center of the earth, the great burial church the earth is, and then to the curved ends of the universe, as light is said to do"

Harold Brodkey's quote evokes a profound meditation on mortality and the large, interconnected tapestry of existence. At the start, the expression "It is death that decreases to the center of the earth" recommends a universal journey towards an unavoidable end. Here, Brodkey uses the imagery of death as an entity that penetrates the earth's core, highlighting its inevitable and universal nature. The concept of the earth as a "terrific burial church" extends this metaphor, casting our planet as a huge and spiritual resting place where life culminates. This imagery might evoke thoughts of burial and decay, yet it likewise means reverence and transcendence, as a church is a location of both grieving and spiritual reflection.

Brodkey widens this contemplation by juxtaposing death with light, extending "to the curved ends of the universe, as light is stated to do". Here, light serves as a metaphor for life, consciousness, or perhaps understanding, taking a trip external, touching the extremities of the cosmos. Using "curved ends" might indicate the curvature of space-time, recommending the interconnectedness of life and death within the universe's complicated structure. This portrayal aligns life and death as dual forces that pass through and specify the universe, each important to its vastness and secret.

Through these contrasts, Brodkey triggers readers to review the tension in between mortality's permanence and the ephemeral or infinite nature of life and light. By corresponding death with the physical grounding of earth and life with the limitless reach of light, Brodkey appears to check out the paradoxes of human existence. This duality welcomes us to consider our place within a grander cosmic design, acknowledging both the limited aspect of our lives and the long-lasting effect of light-- whether it be as memories, influence, or spirit-- beyond our physical death. In essence, the quote captures a poetic meditation on the cycle of existence, prompting reflection on the balance between the tangible end and the limitless continuation.