In Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian," the imagery paints a vivid picture of women who flaunt their beauty in an extravagant and provocative manner. They are described as lounging on balconies, their faces adorned in bright and striking colors. This visual suggests a kind of theatrical display, evoking both curiosity and a sense of the grotesque.
The comparison of these women to transvestites in a madhouse adds to the surreal feel of the scene, highlighting an unsettling blend of femininity and madness. Their coyness, paired with such bold and exaggerated appearances, gives an impression of performance rather than authenticity, suggesting deeper themes of identity and societal roles within the narrative.