Everything was damp and rife and hot as though the jungle were an immense collection of oily rags growing hotter and hotter under the dark stifling vaults of a huge warehouse. Heat licked at everything, and the foliage, responding, grew to prodigious sizes. In the depths, in the heat and the moisture, it was never silent. The birds cawed, the small animals and occasional snakes rustled and squealed, and beneath it all was a hush, almost palpable, in which could be heard the rapt absorbed sounds of vegetation growing.
The jungle is depicted as an overwhelming environment, saturated with heat and moisture, creating a sensation akin to being in a poorly ventilated warehouse filled with oily rags. This intense warmth seems to stimulate the lush foliage, making it flourish in an exaggerated manner. The description illustrates a vibrant yet oppressive atmosphere where the heat affects everything in the surroundings.
This lush setting is alive with sound, as birds and small creatures contribute to a cacophony of life. However, beneath this energetic noise lies a captivating silence that reflects the growth of the vegetation. Mailer effectively captures the jungle's complex ecosystem, where the hustle of animals contrasts with the subtle but constant sound of plants thriving in their humid habitat.
