"This identity, this mind, this particular cast of speech, is nearly over"

This quote by Harold Brodkey talks to the concept of mortality and the inevitability of death. It suggests that our private identities, our minds, and our unique ways of speaking are all limited and will eventually come to an end. It is a suggestion that life is fleeting and that we should maximize the time we have. The quote likewise speaks with the idea of legacy and how our specific identities will survive on in the memories of those we leave behind. It is a pointer that our lives have meaning which our individual identities will continue to exist in the memories of those we have touched. Ultimately, this quote serves as a reminder to cherish the time we have and to take advantage of our lives.