28 pages • 56 minutes read
Annie DillardTotal Eclipse
Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 1982A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
The Transience of Human Existence
Philosophers have long grappled with the transience of human life. The Stoics, for example, viewed life as a brief moment in the vast expanse of time, advocating for a life of virtue and acceptance of death. Likewise, Buddhism stresses the impermanence of all things. Dillard’s essay aligns with these philosophical positions, prompting readers to grapple with the inevitability of mortality and the brevity of human endeavors.
Upon the passage of the moon between Earth and the sun, Yakima Valley is temporarily plunged into darkness. The ephemeral nature of the event, which takes place in the span of minutes, serves as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life relative to the longevity of the universe. Just as quickly as it begins and envelops the landscape in its shadow, it also ends, restoring light and warmth. This occurrence resembles the human life cycle, encompassing the stages of birth, existence, and death. Through her comparison of her surroundings to a film—“I was watching a faded color print of a movie filmed in the Middle Ages” (18)—Dillard further builds upon this theme, as films, too, have clear beginnings and endings.
As the sun is obscured, so too is Dillard’s illusion of permanence and predictability. Dillard’s vivid descriptions of the change, including the changes in the color of the sky, the decrease in air temperature, and the startled birds, show how change can happen quickly, mirroring the unpredictability of life. Just as people become accustomed to daylight, they also become comfortable with the routines of existence. The sudden darkness of an eclipse, Dillard suggests, catalyzes an awakening from complacency and a confrontation with the reality of humans’ temporal existence. This is reflected in the actions of the other eclipse viewers—in their gasps and screams, and also in their silence, reflecting the ways that humanity is united in its vulnerability within the larger universe.
However, there is an implicit message of optimism and perseverance within “Total Eclipse.” Just as the darkness is dispelled and light returns, it is a testament [to] humanity’s ability to endure and adapt, even after confronting its transient nature. The return to familiar territory after the eclipse is a metaphor for humanity’s determination to go on, to imagine, and to find meaning, even when confronted with the expanse of space and the brevity of life.
The Contrast Between the Mundane and the Extraordinary
“Total Eclipse” examines the contrast between the routine activities of everyday existence and extraordinary events in the natural world. Dillard establishes this tension thusly: “We had, it seems, loved the planet and loved our lives, but could no longer remember the way of them” (20). Images near the beginning of the essay are grounded within the realm of the mundane: the long drive to a destination, a description of her husband shaving, and the anticipation of doing something exciting. As the eclipse commences, however, the mundane is abruptly overshadowed by the might of nature, and the normality of life becomes fragmented and disorienting.
For Dillard, the eclipse serves as a gateway to “remembering.” As she imagines herself transported to the 19th century and then to the Middle Ages and the Euphrates River, Dillard evokes imagery of earlier societies whose connection to nature was intrinsic: “The grass at our feet was wild barley. […] We harvested the grass with stone sickles, I remember” (18). She juxtaposes these images with modern life, as cars continue onward to workplaces in the valley below: “[T]his was as dark as night, and eerie as hell […]. Four or five cars pulled off the road. The rest, though, in a line at least five miles long, drove on into town” (25). In the hills, the chatter of life silences, replaced by a collective gasp of wonder from those who, temporarily, interrupted their daily routine to witness a natural spectacle. Such images of normalcy contrast with the changing, unfamiliar hues of the landscape and silence of wildlife, highlighting the insignificance of human activities compared to natural phenomena. When faced with such a rare spectacle, mundane concerns such as time, appointments, and schedules lose their meaning. The shadow of the moon obscures the sun, but it also dims the insignificance of human routines.
In Part 4, Dillard notes the abrupt transition back to those routines following the strong emotions and sense of disorientation caused by the eclipse: “At once the yellow light made the sky blue again; the black lid dissolved and vanished. […] [w]e all hurried away. We were born and bored at a stroke” (26). The eclipse is thus a rare moment in which the veil of the mundane world is lifted; when the sun comes back out and light returns, ordinary life continues. The experience of the eclipse—the confrontation with nature—is soon overshadowed by the return to daily life.
“Total Eclipse” serves as a remark on the ongoing conflict between the mundane and the extraordinary. This essay offers a contemplative examination of how daily routines and mundane tasks are occasionally interrupted by moments of awe, prompting one to ponder, reassess, and marvel at the vast array of existence.
The Transformative Power of Nature
Dillard uses the momentary erasure of the sun as a clarion call to urge readers to break free from complacency and to live with purpose, caring enough to seek meaning and significance.
A brief hiatus from mundane routines occurs as the world plunges into unexpected darkness. In this way, the eclipse embodies the unpredictable turns life can take. The enveloping shadow, the shifted hues of the surroundings, and the collective gasp of amazement from the observers all emphasize the importance of living the presence, being present, and experiencing. Furthermore, Dillard’s description extends beyond merely appreciating the present. The eclipse serves as a reminder to live in the present. In the face of such natural power, she suggests, one is forced to evaluate life’s direction, meaning, and the weight of unfulfilled dreams. While the darkness of the eclipse symbolizes the inertia that can creep into life, the eventual return of the sun signifies the possibility of change, growth, and rejuvenation.
Throughout the essay, there exists a subtextual tension between passiveness and action. The eclipse challenges the passive acceptance of the everyday and disrupts the monotony of life. It transforms into a metaphorical nudge, urging individuals to venture beyond their comfort zones, ponder their present circumstances, and take control of their destinies. As the earth, moon, and sun align in a rare event, individuals are, too, reminded of the alignment of purpose, passion, and action in their lives. Moreover, Dillard’s reactions to the eclipse—a blend of awe, fear, and introspection—are similar to the tumultuous emotions a person might experience in the face of change. As she confronts the overwhelming experience, readers are prompted to confront their hesitations and apprehensions regarding change. The silence that follows the eclipse emphasizes the need for introspection, for quiet moments of self-evaluation that pave the way for meaningful transformation.
Immediately after the eclipse, there is a noticeable shift in Dillard’s perception. She sees the familiar world with fresh eyes, as if everything were being reborn. This renewed perspective reflects the transformative power of seizing life, making conscious choices, and embracing change. The extraordinary weaves its way into everyday life, and the essay thus transcends its descriptive nature and shares a message about the need to live with purpose and find meaning and significance through experiences in nature.
Related Titles
By Annie Dillard
