So this is it? what cost me all that time. A man who turned out to be old, a house that turned out to be empty

So this is it? what cost me all that time. A man who turned out to be old, a house that turned out to be empty

In Jennifer Egan's novel "A Visit from the Goon Squad," the quote "So this is it? What cost me all that time. A man who turned out to be old, a house that turned out to be empty" encapsulates the theme of disillusionment and the passage of time. The novel follows a group of interconnected characters whose lives intersect in unexpected ways, exploring the impact of time on relationships, careers, and personal identity.

The quote reflects the protagonist's realization that the people and places he once held in high regard have changed over time. The man he once idolized has aged and lost his allure, while the house that once symbolized comfort and security now feels hollow and devoid of meaning. This sense of disappointment and loss is a recurring theme throughout the novel, as characters grapple with the passage of time and the inevitability of change.

Egan's exploration of time and its effects on her characters is both poignant and thought-provoking. Through shifting perspectives and non-linear storytelling, she captures the complexities of human experience and the ways in which our perceptions of the world can shift over time. The quote serves as a reminder that nothing stays the same forever, and that our perceptions of people and places are often colored by our own experiences and expectations.

As the characters in "A Visit from the Goon Squad" navigate the ups and downs of life, they are forced to confront the ways in which time has shaped their relationships and identities. The quote serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of youth and the inevitability of aging, as well as the ways in which our perceptions of the world can be colored by our own experiences and expectations.

Overall, Egan's novel is a powerful meditation on the passage of time and the ways in which it shapes our lives. The quote "So this is it? What cost me all that time. A man who turned out to be old, a house that turned out to be empty" encapsulates the novel's themes of disillusionment, change, and the complexities of human experience.