Explication of "Jumper" By Third Eye Blind

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Everyone needs a friend to help them out of the dark times. The song “Jumper” by Third Eye Blind begins with a person talking to his friend, telling them that they need to get help (for something), then proceeding to tell a story about a boy who didn’t have anyone to go to when he was struggling. The person telling the story and talking to his friend says throughout the song “if you do not want to see me again, I would understand” (5,6), in other words saying that “if you don’t want to follow my advice, or if you don’t want to listen, that’s ok”. While the lyrics at first seem to depict a sad story about death, the song “Jumper” incorporates literary and sound devices that show that this song tells a hopeful story about how friends will always be there to help one out of the dark times.
Furthermore, the literary devices of shift, metaphor, and imagery allude to the positive, hopeful attitude of the song within the warning and advice that the speaker gives his friend. The shift between the story (7-15, 22-31) and the conversation shows when the speaker switches from telling to story to the friend and actually talking to the friend. The story helps to put emphasis on the fact that it’s not too late for the “friend” to start over, or “put the past away”. By mentioning this sad story and suggesting for his friend to get help, the singer presents an overall idea of hope; that the “friend” that they are singing (to?) still has a chance at a normal, happy life.
The metaphor “You're the flash of light on a burial shroud” adds to the story within the song. Not only is this a metaphor, but also imagery, as the words “burial shroud” may conjure images of sad things such as death and funerals. This line adds to the harshnes...

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...d before the burning of their body, yet the flow and sound of the words together sounds more gentle and peaceful. This could indicate that the speaker is attempting to bring light to a dire situation, in a way saying that “although this story is sad, you can treat it as a lesson”.
All in all, the song “Jumper” was attempting to portray that everyone needs a friend to help them out of the dark and difficult times. This song uses the literary devices of shift, metaphor, and imagery, as well as the sound devices of rhyme scheme, repetition, and euphony to both tell the story of a lonely boy’s sad struggle and a conversation between two friends. These literary and sound devices accentuate particular lines that are more important to the theme than others, thus emphasizing the theme of the song, while concurrently highlighting the hopeful tone of the song. (how’s this?)

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