In Cormac McCarthy's "Outer Dark," the protagonist is depicted as a weary tinker, burdened by both his physical goods and emotional turmoil. As he navigates through twilight settings, he carries the weight of his past, haunted like an exile doomed to wander between realms of existence, reflecting both a longing for redemption and a fear of condemnation. His surroundings, characterized by the fading light and deep woods, symbolize the inner darkness he grapples with, echoing themes of grief and loss.

The imagery of the tinker's "discordant vespers" suggests a life filled with sorrow and unfulfilled desires, resembling those who are forever seeking but never finding solace. His presence is a stark reminder of the struggles faced, as he is trailed by his own lamentations and melancholic goods. This representation evokes a feeling of relentless pursuit without resolution, encapsulating the enduring nature of human suffering and the search for meaning amidst desolation.