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.
Background
Philosophical Context: Existentialism
“Total Eclipse” by Annie Dillard is a meditation on the human confrontation with the immensity of the universe, with particular attention to the theme of mortality and the ephemeral nature of life. Dillard’s depiction of the solar eclipse captures an existential moment in which she feels dwarfed by the infinite, becoming acutely aware of her insignificance. This realization parallels existentialist notions articulated by philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, who wrote of the inherent absurdity of life—which juxtaposes humans’ desire for meaning and an indifferent universe—and the feelings of alienation people feel in the vastness of the universe, respectively. Dillard’s assertion that “meaning” and “significance” are “for people” further illustrates her alignment with existential philosophy, which purports that life has no meaning or purpose aside from that which humans ascribe to it.
The essay also wrestles with the concept of death, the dread or anxiety of which, in existentialism, can be a motivating factor in living authentically and fully as an individual. In Dillard’s essay, the eclipse serves as a metaphor for death. Just as the light is obscured, life too can be eclipsed, suddenly and unexpectedly. The onset of darkness, silence, and the momentary eradication of the familiar evokes the void that death presents. Philosophers like Martin Heidegger suggest that an authentic life can only be lived with the recognition and acceptance of one’s mortality, an idea encapsulated in his concept of “being-towards-death.” Dillard’s experience of the eclipse is thus resonant, as she is thrust into a confrontation with the inevitability of her own demise that “wakes” her up to the possibilities of life.
While existential philosophy is focused on individual lives and deaths, Dillard highlights the collective experience of those witnessing the eclipse around her. The gasps, the silence, and the awe are collective responses to not just the eclipse but the looming presence of death, and the unexpected, in life. It serves as a reminder that, in the face of mortality, all human beings share the same fate and the same boundaries of time. Through the metaphor of the eclipse, Dillard paints a picture of life’s fragility and the existential questions that arise when faced with the vast, indifferent dance of the cosmos.
Sociohistorical Context: The United States in the 1970s
A reading of “Total Eclipse” within its sociohistorical context sheds light on some of the cultural and historical influences that shape Dillard’s narrative, which was written in the early 1980s, though the eclipse itself took place in 1979.
In the 1970s, the United States witnessed significant discoveries regarding the space race, including the Apollo moon landings, that drew people’s attention to astronomical events and the cosmos. In a time before the internet or widespread accessibility of video footage, the rare opportunity to witness a cosmic event such as such as the total solar eclipse on February 26, 1979, necessitated travel to the path of totality, a journey that Dillard and her husband make in the essay; as she notes, viewing such an event via a photograph or magazine—media that would have been popular during this time—cannot capture its “breadth” or “scale.”
Moreover, the decade was marked by a growing global interest in environmental consciousness, resulting in celebrations such as Earth Day, which was inaugurated in 1970. The emphasis during this period on nature and humankind’s relationship with it is echoed in Dillard’s contemplation of nature’s majesty and indifference, which she juxtaposes with the “workaday” demands of modern living. At the same time, the literary world was changing with the rise of the Postmodern era, which focused on personal essays that combined individual experiences with larger social reflections. Dillard’s essay, which melds her eclipse experience with universal existential themes, echoes this trend and highlights the intersection of individual reflection and collective realities.
Prior events, like the Vietnam War and beginning of the Cold War, influenced the societal search for meaning in the 1970s, leading people to seek solace in nature and spirituality. The introspective nature of Dillard’s essay thus reflects the era’s spiritual and cultural quests. Dillard’s essay not only provides a glimpse into her contemporary milieu but also bridges the gap between the past, present, and future, emphasizing the universality of human sentiment and inquiry in the face of nature’s spectacles. Throughout history, people have been amazed, scared, and thoughtful about eclipses. They looked at them through different cultural, spiritual, and prophetic lenses. Dillard’s essay connects with these historical interpretations and, at the same time, suggests that while the societal fabric might change, certain collective reactions to nature’s marvels are persistent.
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