They walked side by side along the dark beach toward Monterey, where the lights hung, necklace above necklace against the hill. The sand dunes crouched along the back of the beach like tired hounds, resting: and the waves gently practiced at striking, and hissed a little. The night was cold and aloof, and its warm life was withdrawn, so that it was full of bitter warnings to man that he is alone in the world, and alone among his fellows; that he has no comfort owing him from anywhere.
In this excerpt from "Tortilla Flat" by John Steinbeck, two characters stroll along a dark beach towards Monterey, illuminated by lights that resemble a series of necklaces strung along the hills. The imagery of sand dunes as weary hounds and the waves softly crashing sets a melancholic tone, evoking a sense of solitude in the natural world, while the night itself feels cold and distant.
The atmosphere conveys a deeper philosophical message about isolation, emphasizing the idea that humans are fundamentally alone, both in the vastness of nature and in their relationships with others. The night brings a sense of foreboding, reminding the characters, and readers alike, that comfort and connection are often elusive in life.
