In Cecelia Ahern's "The Time of My Life," a striking image is depicted where discarded cigarette butts are scattered across the ground, symbolizing the life force taken from them. These butts represent not just waste, but a deeper consequence of desperation, as users smoke in a frantic and distressed manner, reflecting their struggles.
The metaphor further illustrates the disconnect between the body and the soul. While the butts are left behind, the essence of the users—referred to as their souls—linger within them, trapped in a cycle of addiction and neglect. Ahern's vivid imagery emphasizes the transient nature of existence and the emotional turmoil faced by individuals as they grapple with their choices.