Summary of the Core Content
This article compares the common fear of the “temporary” state in real life with the positive interpretations of it in academic and literary contexts, using real-life examples, literary works, and anthropological research. In reality, the temporary is often seen as an unstable makeshift solution (such as quitting a job to rest only to be rushed to prepare for an exam or get a government position). However, in literature, eternity is portrayed as a torment (eternal life erodes meaning, and immortal fame is misinterpreted), while the temporary is full of vitality (strangers help and love each other during a traffic jam). Anthropologically, the temporary state is considered a necessary “threshold” for growth (as seen in the rituals of tribal chiefs). The article ultimately encourages us to reevaluate the temporary and discover the potential hidden within it.
1. The Temporary in Reality: Why Has It Become a Negative Term?
In our everyday language, “temporary” is almost synonymous with “unreliable.” For instance, the student in the article quits his job to rest, but his family emphasizes that this is only a temporary measure with a specific goal (preparing for an exam), urging him to quickly secure a government position because stability is considered the ideal option. Why is this? Because we are taught that being temporary means being unreliable; stability equals safety, and temporariness equals risk. This mindset makes many people afraid to stop in their tracks, even when they are tired, for fear of being labeled as undisciplined.
2. The “Eternity” in Literature: Turns Out to Be a Nightmare?
Literary writers seem to particularly detest the concept of eternity. Borges wrote in *Fiction* that a Roman governor sought eternal life but found it to be a torment: after drinking the elixir, he became disheveled and forgot his language, even forgetting that Homer had written the *Iliad*. Eternal existence erodes all meaning; there’s no need for dressing up, speaking, or acting, making life akin to imprisonment. Kafka was even more harsh, describing immortal fame as a constant source of criticism: after Hemingway’s death, people discussed his private life rather than reading his works, which were forgotten, turning his private life into a focal point of criticism. Eternity is not a blessing but a torment.
3. The Temporary in Literature: A Brief Yet True Form of Warmth?
Contrary to eternity, the temporary in literature is full of vitality. Cioran’s *The South Highway* describes a prolonged traffic jam that lasts from summer until snow falls, isolating people from the outside world. At first, they ignore each other, but as time goes on, they start exchanging food and helping one another, and some even fall in love. When the jam ends, everyone drives away as if nothing happened—yet those moments of help and love were real. The temporary state breaks down the barriers between strangers, revealing people’s more compassionate sides, allowing for genuine emotions to emerge, even though it’s only brief.
4. The Temporary in Anthropology: A Necessary Threshold for Growth?
Anthropologist Turner introduced the concept of a “threshold” (a state of being in transition). For example, in some African tribes, those seeking to become chiefs must undergo a temporary trial: they are stripped of their clothes, locked in a small room, and criticized by the villagers as being wasteful (as part of a ritual). Why is this necessary? Because the temporary state serves as a transition from one identity to another. Only by being temporarily stripped of everything can one transform into a qualified chief. The temporary is not a waste of time but a necessary path to growth.
5. Reevaluating the Temporary: Slowing Down to Discover Vitality
Is the temporary really that frightening? The article argues that it doesn’t merely mean wasting time; instead, it’s a reminder to slow down and notice the possibilities around us. For instance, the ambiguous period during a relationship or the anticipation of submitting resumes while looking for a job contain elements of freshness and hope. Accepting the uncertainty of the temporary can make us appreciate the present moment more and reveal the vitality that stability often overlooks.
So, the next time you encounter a temporary situation, don’t rush to dismiss it—perhaps it holds surprises waiting for you to discover.