In exile, Quique had discovered that the traumatic arithmetic

[sasibhaskar]

In exile, Quique had discovered that the traumatic arithmetic that melded a past and a moustache could function as proof of a set of privileged experiences, as shared as they were private, in the light of whose mysterious shadow the true socialist homeland would always exist, in the hearts of comrades and lovers, as stated in Walt Whitman’s dedication to his readers in Leaves of Grass.

From the short story 'Conditions for the Revolution' by Pola Oloixarac. Somebody please explain the meaning of the part in red.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Sorry, but without knowing the story, I can't explain those words.

 

[sasibhaskar]

Any luck on this?

In exile, Quique had discovered that the traumatic arithmetic that melded a past and a moustache could function as proof of a set of privileged experiences, as shared as they were private, in the light of whose mysterious shadow the true socialist homeland would always exist, in the hearts of comrades and lovers, as stated in Walt Whitman’s dedication to his readers in Leaves of Grass.

From the short story 'Conditions for the Revolution' by Pola Oloixarac. Somebody please explain the meaning of the part in red.

 

[sasibhaskar]

What is the meaning of 'traumatic arithmetic'?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Again, I'd need to know more. I can tell you that "arithmetic" is used figuratively. The writer is saying that certain facts or events added up to a conclusion.

But I don't know what those facts or events are, so I can't explain the line.