Everything smelled of sheep. The dandelions were suddenly more sheep than flower, each petal reflecting wool and the sound of a bell ringing off the yellow. But the thing that smelled the most like sheep, was the very sun itself. When the sun went behind a cloud, the smell of the sheep decreased, like standing on some old guy's hearing aid, and when the sun came back again, the smell of the sheep was loud, like a clap of thunder inside a coffee cup.{from "On Paradise", page 50}
The passage illustrates a vivid sensory experience where the environment is infused with the essence of sheep. The description of dandelions as embodying sheep and the sun exuding a strong sheep-like smell paints a surreal and striking image, merging elements of nature with an almost whimsical quality. The personification of the sun, likened to a loud force, amplifies the presence of sheep in the surroundings.
When the sun obscured by a cloud diminishes the smell, it suggests a playfully dynamic relationship between light and scent. This whimsical comparison to an old man's hearing aid emphasizes how the vibrant qualities of life are sometimes dulled, only to be restored with the return of sunlight. Brautigan's unique style blends the familiar with the fantastical, inviting readers to explore the extraordinary in everyday sights and smells.
