In the extract from Thomas Pynchon's "Against the Day," the narrator reflects on a profound, almost haunting experience. They describe being drawn to a powerful and unsettling call that evokes thoughts of European mass graves, suggesting a connection to a deep historical trauma. The imagery of an iron gateway evokes a sense of entering into a somber realm filled with shadows of the past.

This passage reflects themes of surrender and inevitability, as the narrator feels compelled to confront the weight of history. The mention of an "incalculable crowd" hints at the overwhelming loss associated with these mass graves, emphasizing the universality of grief and memory. The combination of these elements creates a poignant meditation on the intersection of personal experience and collective history.