The excerpt from Joyce Carol Oates' "Small Avalanches and Other Stories" highlights the extraordinary ability of certain individuals, particularly women, to evoke deep emotional responses in others. These 'conduits of emotion' possess a warmth that can breathe life back into those who feel emotionally numb or disconnected. Their effect is not dependent on physical beauty but instead stems from the inherent integrity and vitality of their spirit.

The passage suggests that the presence of such emotionally vibrant individuals can rekindle the sense of self in those who feel lost or cold within. It captures a profound transformative power, where one person's warmth can spark recovery and emotional revival in another, emphasizing the important connections that can exist between people.