The quote describes the relentless passage of time, emphasizing its continuous and unending nature. The imagery of "tolling in the silence" suggests a deep, almost somber acknowledgment of how time moves forward, marking each minute, hour, day, and year without pause. This reflects a sense of inevitability and the weight that time carries in our lives.

In the context of Cormac McCarthy's "The Road," this idea resonates with the themes of survival and existence in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world. The characters are acutely aware of time as they navigate their dire circumstances, where each moment is crucial. The quote encapsulates the feeling of living within time's relentless flow, while also highlighting the struggle against despair in a harsh reality.