The passage depicts a haunting scene where figures, reminiscent of forgotten deities, call out to a protagonist from the other side of a desolate river. The imagery portrays a barren landscape, characterized by cracked earth and remnants of a once-vibrant environment, now reduced to ruin. These figures appear worn and tattered, giving an impression of lost power and faded glory, evoking a sense of abandonment and despair.

As the figures fade away, the protagonist awakens in darkness, suggesting a transition from a dreamlike vision to harsh reality. This shift underscores the themes of isolation and the struggle for survival in a bleak world. McCarthy's vivid descriptions create a stark contrast between the ethereal call of the figures and the somber existence of the protagonist as he confronts the emptiness surrounding him.