“Humans have it all wrong about aliens.”

The opening line of the novel establishes a sense of dramatic irony and subverts traditional science fiction tropes. Instead of presenting aliens as sinister or superior beings, Leonard’s perspective suggests a gap between human assumptions and reality. The declarative tone implies certainty, yet as the novel unfolds, Leonard grapples with what it means to be an alien and What It Means to Be Human.

“She is so much more than a collection of facts.”

This statement comes from the beginning of the novel before the flashback, foreshadowing how Leonard’s attitude towards humanity will develop throughout the story. The syntax suggests that Leonard initially viewed Olive—and, by extension, all humans—as mere data, whereas now he understands humanity as something intangible and expansive.

“Humans might take these things for granted (staying in the street, half shielded by an umbrella in a summer rainstorm) but I promised myself, centuries ago, that I would not.”

Here, the motif of rain shows Leonard’s deep yearning for human experiences, particularly small, everyday moments that people often overlook. The juxtaposition between human indifference and Leonard’s romanticized perception of life on Earth highlights his initial idealism and eventual approach to his own experience with Olive.