This quote by C. S. Lewis suggests that both death (the grave) and our perception of ourselves or others (the image) serve as connections to things we cannot reclaim (the irrecoverable) and representations of what we find hard to conceive (the unimaginable).
The grave signifies the ultimate end, the finality of life that is both inevitable and irreversible. It symbolizes the unknown, an unimaginable journey we all must take but can never fully understand until experienced firsthand.
On the other hand, an image refers to our perceptions or mental constructs—how we see ourselves or how others perceive us—which are also links to the irrecoverable because they are based on past experiences, judgments, actions, and behaviors that cannot be undone.
These two concepts—death and perception—are symbols for the unimaginable because they deal with aspects of existence that exceed human understanding: one is a mystery beyond life; the other is a complex psychological construct shaped by numerous factors.
In today’s world where social media plays a significant role in shaping our ‘image’, this idea becomes even more relevant. We often get caught up in creating an idealized version of ourselves online—a perfect ‘image’—based on past experiences or societal expectations which can’t be changed or recovered once put out there.
In terms of personal development, this quote urges us to understand that while we cannot change our past actions (irrecoverable), nor completely comprehend what lies ahead (unimaginable), we should not allow these aspects to define us entirely. Instead, it encourages focusing on present actions and behaviors which are within our control rather than obsessing over crafted images based on irretrievable pasts or fearing ungraspable futures.