In Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West," a character expresses a profound and unsettling belief in their immortality, implying a sense of invincibility and detachment from the natural order of life and death. This quote encapsulates a pervasive theme of the novel, reflecting the brutality of existence and the relentless nature of violence that permeates the narrative.
The statement serves as a haunting reminder of humanity's struggle against mortality, suggesting that some individuals may aspire to transcend their human limitations. In the turbulent world McCarthy creates, the idea of never resting or succumbing to death speaks to a grim reality where survival often depends on a ruthless determination, highlighting the chaotic and often merciless struggle for existence in the American West.