The collection examines the intersection of personal memory, historical consciousness, and the transient nature of human experience. Allen Tate employs a formalist approach to navigate the tension between the individual and the weight of the past. The poems function as meditations on the Southern landscape, the decay of tradition, and the psychological isolation inherent in modernity. The narrative voice remains detached yet observant, utilizing precise imagery to anchor abstract philosophical inquiries within concrete, often somber, settings.

Readers and critics frequently identify Tate as a central figure in the New Criticism movement, noting the technical rigor present in his verse. Discussion often centers on the intellectual density of his work, which requires careful attention to historical and literary context. Many observers highlight the stark, often melancholic atmosphere that permeates his reflections on the American South. The collection is recognized for its disciplined craftsmanship and its refusal to rely on sentimental expression, favoring instead a cold, analytical gaze at the human condition.