The shift from writing for the prestigious New York Times to the more local Ashton Clarion was a jarring experience for the protagonist. It felt as though he was abruptly leaving a fast-paced, high-stakes environment and landing in something soft but unsettling. This drastic change highlights the contrast between the two worlds, one of urgency and seriousness and the other of a slower, less impactful reality.

This metaphor of jumping into "a wall of half-set Jell-O" suggests feelings of confusion and instability during the transition. The protagonist not only faces a change in his professional setting but also grapples with the emotional implications of leaving a significant role to step into a less demanding position. It captures the challenges of adjusting to a new rhythm and the struggle to find purpose in a less dynamic atmosphere.