The quote "It was the U.S.A., after all, and fear was in the air" from Thomas Pynchon's "Against the Day" captures a pervasive sense of anxiety and tension within American society. It suggests that fear is an inherent aspect of the American experience, perhaps reflecting political, social, or cultural anxieties prevalent in various historical contexts. Pynchon often explores themes of paranoia and uncertainty, and this statement resonates with the complex emotions that characterize much of American life.

This acknowledgment of fear hints at deeper issues, such as the impact of governmental policies, societal divisions, and the anticipation of potential crises. The phrasing implies that this fear is not just personal but collective, affecting the national psyche. Pynchon's work often encourages readers to scrutinize the underlying forces at play in society, and this quote serves as a poignant reminder of the anxieties that permeate the fabric of American existence.