[korse]

Haven't read McCarthy, however it sounds like a pretty bleak take on westward expansion of the United States across the North American continent / high plains. The hole, steel and fire metaphor brings to mind the process by which rail lines, telegraph runs and extractive industries are established. Those seeking bones brings to mind the search for grounds in which to establish extractive industries concerned with oil and some chemical precursors.

Then the rest follow blindly not truly knowing why and getting stuck with the destruction/dregs/etc.

If that is what is going on, I can't really argue about it however I'll take the more joyous propaganda tyvm.