“He walked out in the gray light and stood and he saw for a brief moment the absolute truth of the world. The cold relentless circling of the intestate earth. Darkness implacable. The blind dogs of the sun in their running. The crushing black vacuum of the universe. And somewhere two hunted animals trembling like ground-foxes in their cover. Borrowed time and borrowed world and borrowed eyes with which to sorrow it.”
Analysis of Quote from Cormac McCarthy
In this quote from Cormac McCarthy's novel, the protagonist is portrayed as experiencing a moment of intense existential despair and realization. The imagery used to describe the truth of the world - the relentless circling of the earth, the darkness, and the vastness of the universe - conveys a sense of insignificance and mortality. The mention of "borrowed time and borrowed world" suggests a fleeting and temporary nature of existence, emphasizing the transient and fragile nature of life. This quote captures the bleak and existential themes often present in McCarthy's works, highlighting the harsh realities of the world and human vulnerability.
Cormac McCarthy's Descriptive Prose
In this passage, Cormac McCarthy uses vivid imagery to paint a bleak picture of the world. The use of metaphors and descriptive language create a sense of emptiness and despair. McCarthy's writing style is often characterized by its starkness and raw emotive power.
Reflection Questions
In this powerful excerpt from Cormac McCarthy's novel, we are confronted with the bleak and nihilistic worldview of the protagonist. As you reflect on these words, consider the following questions:
- How does the imagery of the "cold relentless circling of the intestate earth" impact your perception of the world?
- What emotions arise when you think about the "darkness implacable" and the "crushing black vacuum of the universe"?
- How do you interpret the metaphor of the "two hunted animals trembling like ground-foxes in their cover" in relation to the human experience?
- What does it mean to exist in a world of "borrowed time and borrowed world"? How does this idea shape your understanding of life and mortality?
- How can we find meaning and purpose in a world that seems so indifferent and overwhelming?
Modern Relevance
In this quote from Cormac McCarthy's novel, the protagonist experiences a moment of stark realization about the harsh and unforgiving nature of the world. This sense of existential dread and insignificance can still resonate with modern audiences, who may grapple with similar feelings in the face of global challenges such as climate change, political unrest, and societal injustices. The quote serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the ephemeral nature of our existence in a vast and indifferent universe.
Similar quotes
“Borrowed time and borrowed world and borrowed eyes with which to sorrow it.”
“My idea of vacuuming is borrowing someone's dog for the day and having them eat all the crap off the floor.”
“Life is a borrowed moment of time”
“Night was coming on in, borrowing the light. It had started out borrowing just a few cents worth of the light, but now it was borrowing thousands of dollars worth of the light every second. The light would soon be gone, the bank closed, the tellers unemployed, the bank president a suicide.”
“Borrowed time and stolen moments are those of which we take the most ownership.”