The small wad of burning paper drew down to a wisp of flame and then died out leaving a faint pattern for just a moment in the incandescence like the shape of a flower, a molten rose. Then all was dark again.
The small ember of burning paper briefly flickered into a fiery wisp before extinguishing, leaving behind a fleeting shape reminiscent of a flower. This transient image, akin to a molten rose, evoked a sense of beauty even in its short-lived existence. It symbolizes the fragile yet profound moments of life, highlighting the interplay between light and darkness.
As the warmth faded, darkness reclaimed the space, reinforcing the contrast between the ephemeral and the enduring. McCarthy’s imagery serves to remind readers of the delicacy of life’s brightness against the overwhelming backdrop of darkness, emphasizing themes of hope and despair throughout "The Road."