Cross Quote by Scott Archer Jones
““He pulled on a coat and walked down the flight of stairs from the head house into the distribution floor. Then he walked to the far end to the east. This was the top floor of the grain elevator. He passed eighteen of the great bins–six on one side and twelve on the other, closed up with their huge twenty-foot concrete covers. At the end of the building, the ninety-year-old windows faced the coming night. Out there in the gloaming he could see orange needles standing against the dark reflecting the sunset. These spires luminescing in last light were other grain elevators, dotted across Texas down the rail line–all except one. The exception was a cross shrouded in farmer tin. Its owners billed it as the biggest cross in the world, and it anchored a truck stop and religious bookstore to the Interstate Highway.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: Grain Elevator, 2018
The narrator observes a desolate industrial landscape, noting a massive cross that dominates the horizon, symbolizing faith amidst decay.
In simple terms: A huge cross stands out among grain elevators, representing hope in a bleak setting.
Key Takeaway
Notice symbols of hope in harsh environments.
Themes
industrial decay
faith
loneliness
symbolism
Mood
melancholy
contemplative
Type
descriptive
philosophical
When to use this quote
- traveling workers
- nighttime reflections
- road trips
- rural America
Key Concepts
existential reflection
spiritual search
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the cross symbolize for you?
- How does industrial scenery affect your sense of hope?
A Different Perspective
The cross may be commercialized, not genuine spirituality.
