Hyperbole

" 'You haven't any values. You're dead, that's all.'(pg 67)"

In this scene, Brett is arguing with the count regarding love and its effect on the emotions. Brett saying he has no values and is therefore dead is obviously an exaggeration. The author uses this to frame Brett as what I call an "all-in" character. It's like when one plays poker and, for many people, they only give as much as they want others to see. They hold other chips, or emotions, back. Brett, on the other hand, puts her chips all in. She says what she thinks and she thinks what she says. Sometimes in the latter's order. It's kind of like there is no gray area. She sees things strictly in black and white.