Distant Fireworks
The unnamed narrator and his family are spending time together as they wait for midnight to arrive. Henceforth, the family decides not to turn on the TV but instead look out at the moon. The narrator asserts, "We can see the tops of some fireworks miles away when they pop up in a few places above the forest." The fireworks represent moments of celebration and joy, which are often associated with the welcoming of the New Year. However, the fact that they are seen miles away suggests a distance—both literally and metaphorically—between the family and the source of celebration. In a dystopian world, resources and safety might be scarce thereby organized festivities may not be feasible. The distant fireworks could be a reminder of a world that was once connected and vibrant. Now, the protagonist's family is isolated in a rural area due to the dangerous environment that prevails.
Struggling Amidst Nature's Wrath
Working for Land Management, the protagonist is tasked with protecting people from starvation, flooding, and stampeding animals. He says, "One county away I saw some waterlogged cattle trapped by a forest that are probably getting close to busting out. They'll either die or find the strength to cross the highway and come through here. I'm clearing people so the animals can push through the empty suburbs and muddy farms, to find higher ground." The sight of these waterlogged cattle highlights the magnitude of environmental challenges in a dystopian world. It displays the devastating effects of flooding while emphasizing the interconnectedness of life within the ecosystem. The protagonist must weigh the well-being of the affected families against the needs of the animals seeking refuge.
The Splendor and Suffering
The narrator is standing at the edge of a hole in a makeshift camp with other individuals. Soon after, he notices a man stumbling towards their camp showing signs of illness. He states, "He's on all fours, throwing up blood under the tree. Such a pastoral scene, I'd like to paint it—the pale late-afternoon sky, the dried green of the trees, the little man bent over like a dog on the ground beneath it all, and the splash of red at the bottom of the canvas, seeping into the soil." The protagonist's observation of the man's suffering emphasizes the harshness and unpredictability of their world. It hints at the risks including the potential spread of contagious illnesses that could threaten their camp's safety. Furthermore, the idyllic setting contrasts sharply with the man's deteriorating health creating a sense of dissonance and unease.
Reflections of Desolation
The protagonist reflects on a transformative encounter with a visitor who influenced his perspective on morality. He asserts, "We passed his body as we left, he was under one of those bushes with yellow flowers, curled up like a cat, with a small pool of blood coming from his lips—changed me. When he was talking, I kept looking at his little dark teeth, the paste around his mouth, the spit sloshing around in there—it was like a future mirror. Just listening to him tell me what I was going to steal felt like a deal with Satan." The juxtaposition of the beauty of the yellow flowers with the visitor's lifeless body adds depth to the harsh realities of their world. Moreover, the detailed description of the visitor's appearance evokes a sense of repulsion and mortality. This imagery conveys the dilemma they face when their choices lead them down a morally ambiguous path. Therefore, the connection forged between them adds complexity to the protagonist's reflections.
