In a dream sequence from Cormac McCarthy's "The Road", a character envisions his ethereal girlfriend emerging from a vibrant green space filled with branches. She is ethereal, adorned in a gauze dress, with dark hair elegantly arranged using ivory and shell combs. The dream reflects a sense of longing and beauty, emphasizing the connection between the character and his past love.
As the dream fades, the stark reality of morning sets in, contrasting sharply with the idyllic vision. Instead of warmth and color, the scene is dominated by gray ice hanging from electrical wires, symbolizing desolation and the harshness of their world. This juxtaposition highlights the struggle between memory and present hardship in a post-apocalyptic setting.