In this passage from Cormac McCarthy's "Suttree," a father and his children exit a building in a calm and orderly manner, descending in height from the eldest to the youngest. They move in a straight line, creating a striking visual of six figures clothed in colorful calico as they step into the sunlight. Their proud demeanor contrasts sharply with the stunned onlookers they leave behind.
The scene captures a moment of both reverence and shock, as the father's smile suggests a sense of accomplishment or joy amid the silence of the astonished crowd. The children follow him with a decorum that highlights the seriousness of their procession, signaling a significant moment in their lives as they head towards the river, embodying a narrative of family and existence.