Sometimes, I feel the past and the future pressing so hard on either side that there's no room for the present at all

Sometimes, I feel the past and the future pressing so hard on either side that there's no room for the present at all

Evelyn Waugh, the renowned English writer known for his satirical novels and sharp wit, often explored themes of time, memory, and the passage of history in his works. The quote, “Sometimes, I feel the past and the future pressing so hard on either side that there's no room for the present at all,” perfectly encapsulates Waugh’s fascination with the complexities of time and its impact on human experience.

In many of Waugh’s novels, such as “Brideshead Revisited” and “A Handful of Dust,” characters grapple with the weight of their pasts and the uncertainty of their futures, leading to a sense of being trapped between the two. This feeling of being overwhelmed by the past and future, to the point where the present moment is overshadowed, is a common theme in Waugh’s work.

Waugh’s characters often find themselves haunted by memories of the past, whether it be regrets, lost loves, or past mistakes. These memories can be so consuming that they prevent the characters from fully engaging with the present moment. Similarly, the uncertainty of the future can create anxiety and fear, making it difficult for characters to focus on the here and now.