How does the author use language in the novel, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before?

The author uses contrasting styles of language during Lara Jean’s narration and when Lara Jean speaks directly to other characters, in order to demonstrate the gap that exists between what Lara Jean is able to say inside her head and her ability to express herself in the real world. This use of language reflects one of the novel’s central themes of imagination versus reality. In her narration, Lara Jean is practical, observant, and capable of thinking things through in a rational and intelligent manner: “Daddy’s home! Maybe he knows something. He was on that cleaning binge, throwing things away. Maybe’s he’s spirited my hatbox away somewhere safe, and the Peter letter was just an unfortunate fluke!” (95) However, when Lara Jean actually speaks out loud, none of this considered tone or sensible reasoning makes its way out of her mouth: “Daddy-have-you-seen-my-hatbox?” (95) The amount of time Lara Jean spends mulling things over in her head shows through when she speaks aloud and is less confident in herself, mirroring that she is less confident in the real world than she is in her imagination in general.

The author’s use of language regarding Lara Jean also changes based on how confident Lara Jean is feeling when she is alongside Peter. When Lara Jean safely feels that she does not have feelings for Peter and that their relationship exists solely for practical reasons, she is happy to say things to him in a straightforward, matter-of-fact tone: “Oh, everybody knows. You guys did it freshman year in her parents’ basement, right?” (129) In contrast, as Peter and Lara Jean become closer, Lara Jean gets more anxious and less articulate in her attempts to communicate with him: “It’s scary when it’s real. When it’s not just thinking about a person, but, like, having a real life person in front of you, with, like, expectations. And wants.” (230) This reflects Lara Jean’s need to push out of her comfort zone so that she can be as confident in communicating with people she cares about as she is in situations that are less emotionally risky.