The quote reflects a powerful emotional moment in which an unexpected disruption occurs in life, symbolized by a side door bursting open. This event signifies the sudden and overwhelming nature of time and its ability to drown out individual suffering or loss. The imagery of a "roaring black time" conveys a sense of chaos and urgency, as if life’s momentum can overshadow personal crises.

Nabokov's description suggests a confrontation with the uncontrollable aspects of existence. The contrasting elements of a "lone disaster" against the vastness of time highlight the isolation felt during calamity, while also emphasizing how fleeting individual events can seem in the grand scope of life. This portrayal stimulates reflection on how we experience suffering amid the relentless passage of time.