All The Bright Places

Hoosier Hill is the highest point in the flatlands of Indiana. It is the first venue that Finch and Violet visit during their US geography project and is “underwhelming,” marked only by a pile of stones and a painted sign. The site marks the beginning of Violet’s attraction to, and appreciation of, Finch. She is somewhat agoraphobic due to the death of her sister and confines her activities to a short distance from her home. She walks or bicycles everywhere and has not been in a car since the accident that killed Eleanor. Their excursion to the hill begins a slow process of healing through which Finch guides her. She also tends toward excessive organization and documentation of all experiences, while Finch explains, “When we’re in the act of wandering, we need to be present, not watching it through a lens” (97). Additionally, when Violet describes the site, and the entire state, as ugly, Finch counters that it must be beautiful to some people. In doing so, he guides her to a more accepting embrace of life as well as the passion to live in the present.