The quote from Jonathan Safran Foer's "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" reflects a deep yearning for emotional emptiness and simplicity. The imagery of wanting to be like an overturned pitcher suggests a desire to be free of burdens and pain, indicating a longing for release from overwhelming feelings. The contrast with being "full like a stone" emphasizes the weight of these emotions, portraying a struggle between the desire for emptiness and the reality of carrying heavy emotional baggage.
This duality in the quote illustrates the complexity of human experience, where one may wish to shed their feelings yet find themselves unable to do so. The metaphor of being full as a stone suggests an immovable state, highlighting the difficulty in achieving the desired sense of lightness or freedom. Foer encapsulates a profound truth about the burdens we carry and the ways they inhibit our desire for solitude and peace.