The air was motionless, carved, a block of warm copper fitting neatly around the earth, molded while soft to fit every house and every human being on the earth, and now hardened forever so that no man could move and no air ever came through. The earth rumbled down its alley like a golden bowling ball, shining.
The passage describes a still, oppressive atmosphere that envelops the earth, likening it to a solid, warm copper shell that perfectly conforms to every aspect of life. This imagery conveys a sense of stasis and immobility, suggesting that the air has become a permanent barrier that prevents any movement or change, isolating people and experiences within its confines.
Furthermore, the earth is depicted as a vibrant, shiny object, akin to a golden bowling ball, rolling down its path. This juxtaposition highlights a contrast between the lifeless environment and the lively essence of the earth itself, emphasizing a tension between the static nature of the air and the dynamic, radiant qualities of the world beneath it.
