It is three o'clock on a Sunday afternoon and 105° and the air so thick with smog that the dusty palm trees loom up with a sudden and rather attractive mystery.
In Joan Didion's "Slouching Towards Bethlehem," the author captures a vivid scene that highlights the oppressive heat of a Sunday afternoon. At three o'clock, the temperature soars to 105°F, creating an atmosphere that feels stifling and dense due to the smog. This description not only sets the physical stage but also evokes a sense of unease and enchantment, as even the dusty palm trees take on an enigmatic quality amidst the harsh environment.
Didion's imagery draws readers into the experience of a California landscape, where the heat and pollution create a surreal backdrop. The juxtaposition of discomfort and beauty in her writing reflects the complexities of life in the region during that era. This scene encapsulates the disorientation and allure of a world that is both familiar and yet unsettling, illuminating the unique character of the environment she explores.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
