Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses death by suicide, pedophilia, incest, sexual exploitation and assault, emotional and physical abuse, and violence.

“It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.”

The epigraph for the novel is taken from the July 4, 1852, speech of abolitionist and editor Frederick Douglass. While Douglass was referring to revolutionary social change, in the context of the novel the quote alludes to The Role of Challenges in Self-Discovery.

“They didn’t leave me a note. They dressed up. They put the dog out. They scheduled Mirai to come late this morning, instead of early. They didn’t leave me a note.”

One of the key features of Tiernan’s parents’ abuse of her was their stonewalling. Here, Tiernan is stung by the fact that the stonewalling continues beyond death. Tiernan’s emphasis on “they didn’t leave me a note” shows the extent of her pain and trauma at her parents’ refusal to talk to her; Douglas frames the realization with this sentence twice to show that Tiernan is stuck on this thought.

“No malls or caramel macchiatos close by.”

Jake snidely reminds Tiernan that his hometown is less extravagant than hers. He suggests that Tiernan is a wealthy, vapid person who cannot do without material amenities. Jake’s remark illustrates the presumptuousness of his nature and also foreshadows the trouble which will mark the beginning of his relationship with Tiernan.