In the passage from "Angle of Repose" by Wallace Stegner, the character experiences a profound sense of displacement and anticipation. His clock being set to "pioneer time" suggests a disconnect from the present reality, as he encounters trains that are yet to arrive. This creates a sense of longing for a future that may never come, reflecting the themes of hope and the sometimes futile desire for progress.

The imagery of waiting on platforms that have not been constructed and alongside tracks that might never exist encapsulates the struggle of pioneers. It conveys the essence of perseverance amid uncertainty, symbolizing the broader human condition of striving for something just out of reach while being tethered to the past. This illustrates the paradox of ambition faced with the harshness of reality.