In "Blood Meridian" by Cormac McCarthy, the quote reflects the consequences of war and violence driven by madness, suggesting that such conflicts often extend beyond their origin, impacting unsuspecting territories. It implies that the chaos unleashed by these conflicts can awaken forces or responses that go far beyond what the perpetrators anticipated, leading to unpredictable and dire outcomes.
Additionally, the imagery of "waking more than the dogs" conveys a warning about the awakening of broader, perhaps more primal, elements within the landscape affected by the violence. This highlights the interconnection between human actions and natural responses, illustrating how war does not just disturb those directly involved but can also alter the fabric of the environment and society at large.