The phrase evokes a sensory overload, where the overwhelming sound of water filling a lung becomes secondary to a constant, nearly deafening hum of insects. This description illustrates a scene rich in imagery, highlighting the struggle against nature while capturing the raw experience of survival and surrender.

The reference to the "last letter of the alphabet" suggests a sense of finality or culmination, hinting at themes of despair or the end of something significant. This conjunction of the personal with the natural world in Chris Ware's "Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth" adds depth to the narrative, portraying both human vulnerability and the relentless persistence of life around us.