The quote from Thomas Pynchon's "Gravity's Rainbow" evokes a powerful imagery of sound and silence. It suggests that silences are not merely absences of sound, but rather moments where sound recedes, similar to how ocean waves pull back before a larger wave crashes. This retreat creates a buildup that prepares for a potential surge of noise, emphasizing the dynamic relationship between silence and sound in our environment.

Pynchon's observation reflects the complexity of auditory experiences, where silence can carry significance and anticipation. Just as the quiet serves as a prelude to a louder explosion of sound, it highlights the ebb and flow of auditory sensations, allowing us to appreciate both the calm and the chaos that coexist in our surroundings.