Not Nothing

“If there was one word in the English language the boy hated, it was opportunity.”

This line uses hyperbole to emphasize Alex’s deep aversion to the word “opportunity,” which is usually positive. Alex hates it because, for him, “opportunity” is a trigger word, symbolic of loss and false promises, especially regarding his mother’s removal from his life. This establishes the idea that Alex will need to redefine his perception of opportunity and embrace his potential for growth before he can move forward.

“The social worker’s face was as bland as the chicken, giving nothing away.”

The use of simile creates a humorous but poignant comparison between the social worker’s expression and the bland food that Alex despises. This stylistic choice emphasizes Alex’s distrust and emotional detachment; he sees adults as dishonest and undesirable. The phrase creates a tone of suspicion and heightens Alex’s feeling of isolation, with his fixation on food also speaking to the motif of hunger in the novel.

“That’s the thing about hate. It can sometimes feel like a blanket against the cold, a salve against a wound. When you don’t have love, it can feel like a decent substitute.”

This quote uses extended metaphor to explore the psychology of hate. By comparing hate to both a “blanket” and a “salve,” Josey exposes how hate can act as comfort when love is absent. This insight speaks to both Alex’s and Olka’s character arcs, as both have turned to hate or bitterness when they’ve been wounded.