Crouched in the broken shadow with the sun at his back and holding the trap at eyelevel against the morning sky he looked to be truing some older, some subtler instrument. Astrolabe or sextant. Like a man bent at fixing himself someway in the world. Bent on trying by arc or chord the space between his being and the world that was. If there be such space. If it be knowable.
The protagonist is depicted in a poignant moment, positioned in the interplay of light and shadow as he engages with an unfamiliar object that reminds one of navigational instruments like an astrolabe or sextant. This imagery emphasizes his quest for direction or understanding, not just of the physical world, but also of his place within it. The setting suggests an intimate connection between the man and his surroundings as he strives to make sense of his existence.
The text explores themes of navigation and self-discovery, indicating a deeper inquiry into the relationship between the individual and the universe. The idea of measuring the "space between" suggests both a physical and existential search, raising questions about the nature of reality and one's ability to comprehend it. The uncertainty implied by "if there be such space" highlights the complexity of his journey, filled with introspection and the hope of gaining clarity in an ambiguous world.
