In Cormac McCarthy's "The Road," the imagery evokes a bleak atmosphere where darkness predominates, suggesting a world of desolation and despair. The nights are described as being marginally less dark, implying a slight glimmer of hope amid overwhelming bleakness. This setting creates a palpable sense of hopelessness that pervades the characters' journey.
During the day, the sun is portrayed as a sorrowful figure, akin to a grieving mother, illuminating the earth with a dim light. This metaphor highlights the loss and yearning present in the characters' lives, emphasizing their struggle against the harsh realities of their environment. Despite the sun's presence, it fails to bring warmth or comfort, reinforcing the novel's theme of survival in a devastated world.