Macleod's The Vastness Of The Dark

In addition to this reader-response method of writing, MacLeod transforms The Vastness of the Dark into a surprisingly vibrant story that progresses in stages of hue and colour, as opposed to what is suggested by its title. However, MacLeod does happen to use several references to darkness, such as the scenario concerning James and his father being trapped within one of the mining catacombs. James reminisces on this dire situation with a vocabulary finely tuned to the theme of darkness, stating that he and his father were “chilled together in the dampness of the dark” (36). MacLeod also describes materials and images associated with working in a coal mine, specifically, as he includes references to the metal drills, the blackened faces of the miners, and the hues of the houses and sky embodying a sort of grey and black aura (33). As James travels further away from this small, dingy town, however, MacLeod begins to incorporate brighter colours into his narrative. One of the
Although, according to David C. Creelman, MacLeod’s literary tendencies strongly reflect a gritty, realist perspective (Creelman 111). This is a valid argument as it certainly pertains to the overall impression presented throughout The Vastness of the Dark. Creelman further supports this notion of literary realism through his analysis of MacLeod’s own upbringing, and reviews the difficult economic situations of the 1930’s. He describes how MacLeod experienced this firsthand as a young man growing up in a struggling Cape Breton town. This added point of reference to MacLeod’s experience-based perspectives serves to strengthen the realist connection he shares with this (presumably) fictional short story. Moreover, it would appear as though MacLeod is able to sympathize, as well as generate sympathy from his readers, with the adversity that James is faced with (Creelman