In the book "Everything Is Illuminated" by Jonathan Safran Foer, the author explores the complexity of communication and the difficulty of expressing thoughts clearly. When people attempt to articulate their ideas, they often become overwhelmed by memories and reflections, leading to confusion. This results in a torrent of words that obscures the original intention, making it challenging to discern the main point.

This struggle highlights how easily language can become muddled and how individuals may lose sight of their intended message amidst a whirlwind of ideas. The quote illustrates the frustration of trying to convey meaning, as the speaker's thoughts drown in a sea of words, leaving them unable to effectively communicate their original intent.