The quote highlights the pervasive scent that envelops the city, symbolizing the lingering effects of past deeds that have been forgotten or dismissed. It suggests that history, especially the darker aspects of it, contributes to the atmosphere of the present, creating a sense of unease and decay. The "sweet, rotting odor" evokes a complex relationship between nostalgia and guilt, emphasizing how the past continues to affect the current state of the world.

This imagery invites readers to reflect on the weight of unacknowledged sins, emphasizing that they cannot be easily erased. Instead, these unrecognized transgressions shape the environment and the society within it. The reference to "yesterday's unrecollected sins" underscores the notion that despite their obscurity, these sins have not disappeared; they remain embedded in the city's essence, influencing its character and the lives of its inhabitants.