? departure: (archaic) death.
More expressions related to death: the demise of the French monarchy (formal); to succumb to a plague (formal); to pass away (euphemism); to join the majority (euphemism); to kick the bucket (vulgar), rest in peace, etc. ? involved: emotionally involved; sharing the sorrow.
114. I have written this account in penitence and in grief, as a man who failed to raise his pig, and to explain my deviation from the classic course of so many raised pigs.
? The purpose of this essay is to show that I am sorry for what has happened to
my pig, since I have failed to raise the pig and cannot provide a reason why my pig didn‘t grow the way other pigs have grown. ? penitence: regret for wrongdoing
? deviation: behavior that differs from the usual or expected way of doing
something. Here it refers to the author‘s failure in raising the pig.
? classic course: the usual process of buying, raising and butchering a pig, the
same thing with the scheme or the tragedy referred previously in para.2.
115. The grave in the woods is unmarked, … on flagless memorial days of our own
choosing.
? The pig‘s grave in the woods doesn‘t have a tombstone, but whenever
somebody wants to visit it, Fred will show him the way. I know we will often visit it, separate or together, when we need to ponder over problems or when we are depressed.
? Unmarked: without any tombstone
? In seasons of reflection and despair: in times when the author needs to
meditate and when he loses hope in life
? … he and I shall often revisit it… on flagless memorial days of our choosing.
The author and Fred will often visit the pig‘s grave in the woods to show their love whenever they like, and these days will be like memorial days. The only difference is that the author and Fred will not hoist the national flag as would be the case on the Memorial Day. (For Memorial Day, see note 4.)