The use of imagery in this passage first sets the stage for a very twisted Christmas season. This place is very strange, with Christmas carols floating in the air, mixing with sunshine and the sounds of screeching seagulls. Their setting strongly contrasts with the music, which is normally associated with cold weather and snow. The author’s diction further provides to the warped scene, with words of encouragement towards suicide. The author uses words such as “fascinating”, “sentimental”, and “fantastic”. This word choice is a juxtaposition with suicide, which has an appropriately negative connotation. This passage is Perry’s point of view and is suggestive of Perry’s problematic mental state.
