In the eyes of all of them was the hollow stare of fear, and there was hollowness in their merriment, too.
The quote reflects a deep contradiction within the characters, where outward expressions of joy mask an underlying fear. Despite presenting a facade of happiness, their true feelings reveal a sense of emptiness, suggesting that their merriment is insincere or forced. This hollow merriment indicates that they are grappling with more profound issues beneath the surface, generating a complex emotional atmosphere.
Moreover, the concept of a "hollow stare" signifies that the characters...