One may picture, too, the sudden shifting of the…
““One may picture, too, the sudden shifting of the attention, the swiftly spreading coils and bellyings of that blackness advancing headlong, towering heavenward, turning the twilight to a palpable darkness, a strange and horrible antagonist of vapour striding upon its victims, men and horses near it seen dimly, running, shrieking, falling headlong, shouts of dismay, the guns suddenly abandoned, men choking and writhing on the ground, and the swift broadening-out of the opaque cone of smoke. And then night and extinction – nothing but a silent mass of impenetrable vapour hiding its dead.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A vivid, chaotic description of battle smoke and darkness overwhelming combatants.
In simple terms: Smoke creates terrifying, disorienting battle conditions.
Key Takeaway
Prepare for sensory chaos in conflict.
Themes
war
chaos
darkness
survival
Mood
dramatic
grim
Type
literary
historical
When to use this quote
- battlefield training
- emergency drills
- firefighting
- disaster response
Key Concepts
Psychological terror
environmental hazard
combat stress
Questions to Reflect On
- How does darkness affect decision‑making?
- What strategies mitigate panic in low‑visibility?
A Different Perspective
Real smoke may behave differently than described.