Trapped
The words of the narrator of “The Vastness of the Dark” could come from any number of characters in the stories of MacLeod. One would not even have to change the name of the town for many; though the idea of small town life as metaphorical captivity applies equally well across the geographical landscape of MacLeod’s canon.
“For today I leave behind this grimy Cape Breton coalmining town whose prisoner I have been all my life."
Making a Good Point
The humor of MacLeod shows through in ways as subtle as every other emotional reaction. Here is a metaphorical commentary upon a metaphor. Funny but true.
“I hear music now and it is almost like a bell...How strange, I think, that anyone should even consider as sounding like a bell.”
Characterization
MacLeod is very fond of engaging the simile to create a strange comparison that he puts into the thoughts of characters. The result is a nice duality: one learns as much about the looker as the object being looked at in this case:
“She looked at him as if he were a genetic wonder, which indeed he seemed to be.”
Animals and Snow
MacLeod writes about animals a lot. A lot. And so one should be prepared for plenty of metaphors and similes related to them. And since most of his stories take place in Canada or some other cold climate region, a good chance always exists that the metaphorical language will apply to snow. Like this one.
“The snow from the horse’s hooves falls about our heads like the whiteness of the stars.”
Snow...without the Animals
Of course, not every MacLeod story is about animals. But even when not, they are about life in stark climates where darkness lingers and emotions are regulated by collusion between cold and darkness.
“The snow has stopped falling and its whitened quietness reflects the shadows of the night.”
