In Joseph Conrad's works, the character's perspective illustrates a lack of understanding regarding profound concepts when faced with overwhelming information. The notion that a catastrophic event would bring about the end of the world would be simplified in his mind to just a phenomenon like bad weather. This reflects a common human tendency to downplay extraordinary claims without personal experience of such events.

This passage emphasizes that mere belief does not guarantee genuine understanding; one can accept information without fully grasping its significance. The character's interpretation indicates a disconnect between knowledge and comprehension, highlighting the limitations of human perception in the face of monumental truths.