comment on language and meaning

The language of Everywhere You Don’t Belong tends to be accessible and informal. While Bump often uses metaphorical language to describe certain scenes of particular importance, he generally sticks to short, simple sentences. With Jonah, for example, he employs vivid imagery to convey the inspiration and faith that Paul and Claude attribute to his influence, such as when he writes: “He was a low-flying jet in the dusk. He returned to earth like a breaching whale” (39). This image illustrates to the reader the level of inspiration that Paul and Claude see in Jonah, whether it is warranted or not.