The stars burned with a lidless fixity and they drew nearer in the night until toward dawn he was stumbling among the whinstones of the uttermost ridge to heaven, a barren range of rock so enfolded in that gaudy house that stars lay awash at his feet and migratory spalls of burning matter crossed constantly about him on their chartless reckonings.
In this passage from Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian," the imagery of the stars is vivid and striking, portraying them as constant and unwavering in the night sky. The narrator feels an overwhelming pull toward the celestial bodies, suggesting a deep connection between humanity and the vast universe. As dawn approaches, he finds himself amidst a desolate landscape, reflecting on the isolation and harshness of his surroundings while simultaneously being immersed in the beauty of the night.
The depiction of the stars as both beautiful and distant highlights the stark contrast of the barren rock at his feet. The mention of "migratory spalls of burning matter" signifies the dynamic nature of the cosmos, emphasizing that even in solitude, there's a sense of constant motion and change. This creates a sense of wonder and insignificance, as the vastness of the universe envelops the character, illustrating the profound themes of existence and the unknown that McCarthy explores throughout the novel.
