How Does Holly Jackson Use Similes In Five Survive

In Holly Jackson’s Five Survive, she uses similes to show a “so what:” people break under pressure. Five Survive is a mystery about six people who go on a road trip in an RV and end up being trapped in the woods with no cell service and an active shooter. There are 2 characters that play a big part. The first one is Red, she is the main character. The second one is Oliver, who is Red’s best friend's older brother who only came on the trip to drive the RV. In the pages, im focusing on Oliver blames Red for being stuck there.

Jackson uses a simile to show the pressure of past mistakes haunting peoples' future. Oliver gets more and more agitated which builds up the tension in the RV separating everyone. When Red reveals she might have something to do with the shooter everyone is confused but Oliver gets angry. Instead of figuring out what to do though, Red breaks down as shown when Holly Jackson states “Red’s heart reacted like there was a direct link between them, cause and effect, kicking up in her chest” (270). When Red’s mom died she blamed herself for that and now is blaming herself for this. This sentence is talking about Red freaking out and distress setting in. Holly Jackson uses this simile to tie back to the So what because she shows the stress and anxiety setting in.

After talking and debating Oliver suggests Red should leave the RV. When no one agrees with him he starts getting aggressive and threatens to force Red out if she doesn’t go willingly. “Pointing 2 fingers towards her, like a gun made from the flesh and bone of his hand” (270). Holly Jackson connects Oliver to the shooter by bringing up the gun which gives us a clue to the end of the story. By illustrating how worry and force are now adding to the confusion and stress, Jackson utilizes this simile to connect back to the “So what”: everyone breaks in the