The quote from Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West" reflects a soldier's haunting experience in a desolate landscape. The imagery of dreams lingering even in the absence of the physical body suggests a profound connection to one’s past and memories. In the harsh desert, where everything can seem lost, the strength of these dreams persists, indicating a deep, perhaps unsettling bond with the soldier's former life and experiences.

This notion of being trapped in memories, unable to truly awaken from the dreamlike state, highlights the impact of war on the psyche. The statement evokes a feeling of endlessness, where the soldier's identity is entwined with his experiences, making it challenging to move beyond the scars left by conflict. McCarthy's portrayal underscores themes of violence, memory, and the existential toll on those who have witnessed the brutalities of life and death.