All the Bright Places is heavy on quotes from famous writers who killed themselves. (Bit of a downer, that.) On the other hand, its unofficial mascot is Dr. Seuss, whose book Oh, the Places You'll Go! is one of Finch and Violet's greatest hits. The moral of that book can be summed up thusly: The future's so bright, you've gotta wear shades.
In other words, it's all about hope.
When we think about hopes and dreams and plans, we think of Violet. Her journey in the novel is about rediscovering her own capacity to engage with the world around her. For a long time after her sister's death, she takes a dim view of existence. She's just not feeling it. Her time with Finch helps her see that there's good in the world. Her unhappiness doesn't go away, but she's able to set it aside enough to start participating in her own life again.
Questions About Dreams, Hopes, and Plans
- Do you think that Violet will transfer to NYU? Why or why not?
- What long-term plans did Finch have for his future?
- At what point does Violet lose hope that Finch is coming back?
Chew on This
Finch's notion of the "perfect day" was unrealistic. There are no perfect days, and his inability to accept that was a flaw.
Finch's notion of the "perfect day" wasn't too much to ask for. It would have been easier to achieve if he'd sought treatment for his bipolar disorder.