In "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy, the imagery of a dim, undefined light creates a haunting atmosphere. This faint light, which seems to lack a clear source, symbolizes hope amidst desolation. The light's quivering nature evokes a sense of uncertainty as it interacts with the environment filled with drifting soot.
This setting highlights the bleakness of the world the characters inhabit, where beauty is overshadowed by despair and decay. The refracted light amidst the soot also suggests a fragile resilience, hinting at the persistence of life and the human spirit in dire circumstances.