In Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West," the theme of an inescapable curse looms over the characters, akin to a patrol bound to an ancient and relentless fate. This imagery evokes the sense of predetermined suffering and the weight of history that the characters must bear as they navigate a brutal and unforgiving landscape. The quote alludes to the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of violence and despair, suggesting a struggle against forces far beyond their control.

The novel delves into the darker aspects of humanity and the inherent violence within the human experience. The notion of being "condemned" speaks to the inevitability of this violence, as the characters find themselves engaged in a macabre journey marked by relentless bloodshed. McCarthy's stark prose paints a vivid picture of the West as a harsh realm where moral boundaries dissolve, leaving individuals to grapple with their fate amidst the chaos around them.