The quote describes a character who has been deeply affected by a traumatic experience, suggesting that the impact of horror can be lasting and debilitating. The comparison to someone frozen conveys the idea that the person is stuck in their fear and unable to fully move on with their life, creating a state of emotional paralysis.

This frozen state reflects the themes of trauma and the psychological scars that can accompany war, as seen in Joseph Heller's "Catch-22." The character's inability to thaw reveals how experiences can leave individuals trapped in a past moment, affecting their ability to engage with the present and future.