Wildoak

“He unlocked a cage. A cage that had no business carrying what it was carrying.”

The novel initially creates mystery around the contents of the cage by not specifying what is inside. The phrasing makes it clear that whatever is in the cage should not be there, making the scene’s atmosphere ominous and suspenseful. The declarative phrasing that the “cage […] had no business carrying what it was carrying” is also highly critical of Rumpus’s capture and mistreatment.

“Some of the words would come out fine, and then, suddenly, they wouldn’t. The air would catch, her head would jerk around, her mouth would lock open, she would blink repeatedly, and every single person in the room would stare.”

Maggie’s communication difference is portrayed vividly in terms of both its involuntary physical effects and their devastating social cost. This creates empathy for Maggie: Even though she understands The Importance of Communication and Connection, she cannot control these behaviors and suffers greatly because of other people’s ignorance and intolerance.

“His tail was so long and furry, it looked as though he was being permanently electrocuted.”

This image conveys a sense of both Rumpus’s appealing appearance and his vulnerability. His long, bushy tail is not only comical, but also a reminder of his youth—his appearance is not yet the sleek and elegant like an adult leopard. The choice of simile—of him looking like he is being electrocuted—also hints that he is somewhat defenseless at this stage and in these circumstances.