“Night falls. Or has fallen. Why is it that night falls, instead of rising, like the dawn? Yet if you look east, at sunset, you can see night rising, not falling; darkness lifting into the sky, up from the horizon, like a black sun behind cloud cover. Like smoke from an unseen fire, a line of fire just below the horizon, brushfire or a burning city. Maybe night falls because it’s heavy, a thick curtain pulled up over the eyes. Wool blanket.”
Explore This Quote Further
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Margaret Atwood, the author contemplates the phenomenon of nightfall and questions why it is described as "falling" rather than "rising" like the dawn. The imagery she employs paints a vivid picture of night rising in the east at sunset, giving the illusion of darkness lifting into the sky like a black sun behind clouds. Atwood suggests that night may appear to "fall" due to its heaviness, comparing it to a thick curtain or wool blanket being pulled over the eyes. This thoughtful reflection on the nature of night challenges conventional perceptions and invites readers to consider the beauty and mystery of darkness.
Exploring the Concept of Night Falling
Margaret Atwood's poetic reflection on the phenomenon of night falling prompts us to consider the concept of darkness in a different light. In a world where day and night have become blurred by artificial lighting and technology, Atwood's words remind us of the natural rhythms and beauty of the changing skies. Let's delve deeper into the modern relevance of this thought-provoking passage.
In a world where we are constantly surrounded by artificial lights and illuminated screens, the idea of night falling can feel distant and disconnected from our daily lives. However, Atwood's description of night rising in the east at sunset challenges our conventional perception of darkness. It invites us to pause and observe the beauty of the natural world, where darkness is not just an absence of light, but a presence in itself.
Atwood's comparison of night falling to a heavy curtain or wool blanket speaks to the weight and depth of darkness. In a society where we are often afraid of the dark and seek constant illumination, her words remind us that night is not something to be feared, but rather embraced and appreciated for its own unique qualities.
As we navigate a world that is increasingly dominated by artificial light and 24/7 connectivity, Atwood's reflection on the rising darkness serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty and mystery of the night sky. It encourages us to look up, slow down, and appreciate the natural rhythms of day and night that have been a part of human existence since the beginning of time.
Margaret Atwood's Reflection on Nightfall
In this passage, Margaret Atwood cleverly describes the phenomenon of nightfall in a unique and thought-provoking way. She questions why we say that night "falls" instead of "rises" like the dawn, and paints a vivid picture of darkness creeping into the sky like a black sun behind clouds. Atwood's use of imagery and metaphors invites readers to ponder the nature of night and its effects on the world around us.
Reflection Questions
This quote by Margaret Atwood invites us to contemplate the concept of night and its gradual descent upon us. As we reflect on this passage, consider the following questions:
- How does the imagery of night falling versus rising impact your perception of darkness and light?
- In what ways does Atwood's description of night as a "thick curtain" or "wool blanket" resonate with your own experiences of nighttime?
- Do you agree with the idea that night falls because it's heavy, or do you have a different interpretation of why darkness descends upon us?
- How does the imagery of a "black sun behind cloud cover" or "smoke from an unseen fire" add to the atmosphere of the passage?
- How does this passage make you feel about the transition from day to night and the mysteries that darkness brings?
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