In this passage from Cormac McCarthy’s The Crossing, the narrator describes the dramatic experience of finding forgiveness from God. This experience is portrayed through the setting and the narrator's sheet.
The word “penitent” has two applicable meanings in this passage: literally, it means a fiery pit; metaphorically, it means a person repenting and seeking forgiveness from God. The setting in this excerpt is a steep and rocky pit filled with the cries of coyotes and dark, dangerous sin. While in this valley, the narrator searches for comfort and warmth among the lurking dangers around him. The setting of the passage is intended to represent Hell, while the narrator constantly seeks warmth and “forgiveness” from God.
The second technique