How would you interpret the word ‘slow slope’ in the context?
How would you interpret the word ‘slow slope’ in the second sentence?
I would think it the word ‘slow’ means ‘not steep’. What do you think?
Thank you.
PS: the excerpt is taken from the short story ‘LOVE OF LIFE’ written by Jack London.

The excerpt:
“Bill!” he cried out.

It was the pleading cry of a strong man in distress, but Bill’s head did not turn. The man watched him go, limping grotesquely and lurching forward with stammering gait up the slow slope toward the soft sky-line of the low-lying hill. He watched him go till he passed over the crest and disappeared. Then he turned his gaze and slowly took in the circle of the world that remained to him now that Bill was gone.

Question

How would you interpret the word ‘slow slope’ in the context?
How would you interpret the word ‘slow slope’ in the second sentence?
I would think it the word ‘slow’ means ‘not steep’. What do you think?
Thank you.
PS: the excerpt is taken from the short story ‘LOVE OF LIFE’ written by Jack London.

The excerpt:
“Bill!” he cried out.

It was the pleading cry of a strong man in distress, but Bill’s head did not turn. The man watched him go, limping grotesquely and lurching forward with stammering gait up the slow slope toward the soft sky-line of the low-lying hill. He watched him go till he passed over the crest and disappeared. Then he turned his gaze and slowly took in the circle of the world that remained to him now that Bill was gone.

Answer

I think it is safe to translate it as 'not steep'. But the actual use of slow in this style is when we describe a surface (or material) that slows. So I guess the steepness/gradient can slow so that is fine. Other situations could be the quality of the surface, for example clay tennis courts are said to be slow, while grass courts like WImbledon are fast. Or the race track is slow because of the type of cement, or the mountain bike trail is slow because of the mud.

So it is possible that slow in the story refers to the slope that is harder to ascend, not just for gradient but also for rocks, or slippery surface etc etc.

Side note: Why did London use slow? Well the sound S is repeated in words close by, (stammering gait up the slow slope toward the soft sky-line... 5 times!) and even LOW is repeated soon after, and even SLOW later. Also the words like limping, stammering, are all aimed at conveying this torturous and slow departure!

Answer

Thank you.

Answer

Hi, since "slow" is referred to slope (instead than to the person who is running on it) then it means that the slope  has a very low angle (it is a "soft" slope). Otherwise it would have been a "heavy/ hard slope" like in mountain.