For this post, I want you to write about whatever interests you with respect to the novel.
Here's what interests me at the moment: I find that I have a hard time talking about this book sometimes. I can analyze Oskar & his psychological makeup, and how the hurt and pain and confusion and guilt result in his endearing idiosyncrasies, crazy outbursts, and the obsessive quality of his lock-and-key search. I can talk about the things that make me laugh, like the Hamlet scene and the session with Dr. Fein. But I have a hard time talking about the things that really move me, and there are a lot of them, because I don’t know what else to say except that they move me. The chapter from the grandmother’s perspective, My Feelings (p. 174), is like this. Thomas and grandma have such opposite responses to the tragic losses of their lives, one drawing an iron curtain around himself (nothing), the other become a moth flying toward a light (something). One lacks courage, the other confidence. Grandma can certainly be frustrating in her lack of independence and confidence. On the other hand, though, I understand her. I understand why she would give a trick-or-treater dressed as a ghost two $100 bills because she was paying the ghost of Anna to go away. (It’s like Holden Caulfield paying the nuns $10, as if money can buy back your innocence.) I understand why she would be willing to compromise a lot, practically everything, to feel the security and comfort and warmth that comes with basic human connection. And while Thomas’s inability/unwillingness to live is also frustrating, it makes more sense after hearing his account of the firebombing of Dresden. How could he live after that? After losing not only the love of his life, but his unborn child, his family, everything. Add to that the guilt of leaving his family to look for Anna. I won’t even mention having to shoot an ape, twice, who looked at him with “understanding” but not “forgiveness.” The two of them are like magnets pushed apart by some repellent force (something, nothing; something, nothing). The conversation in the airport, played out by pointing to phrases already written in the notebook, is heartbreaking. Nobody pointed at, I love you — because nobody could. It is a very sad thing, in real life not just books, to hear older people look back at their life with wistful regret. If I were able to live my life again, she says, I would kiss my piano teacher. And send ugly photographs. Makes you want to do things — listen to the voice that speaks to the beating of your heart.
What interests you?
I’m really interested by the fact that Oskar always says what he wants to do, but then never actually does it. Although acting out might get him into trouble, I think that if Oskar actually said, “You’re not my dad, and you never will be” to Ron or actually stood up to his classmate during Hamlet, he might finally be able to vent his anguish. I think Oskar tries to cope with his loss through his inventions, but although they help him not to obsess about his father, they are not particularly constructive because he never acts on them. At first they seemed to all be inventions that could have helped his father survive 9/11 (like the skyscraper that moves up and down on page 3), but now they don’t seem to relate (postage stamps where the back tastes like crème brûlée?!). They are certainly really cool, though! What’s going on with Oskar? Even though he’s a fictional character, I worry about him. Evidently Dr. Fein does too, but I think hospitalization is a bit extreme. Does it say something about our society that we are more willing to avoid dealing with the hard stuff by medicating for it rather than actually addressing it?
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that interested me or, rather, frightened me, was the chapter from Thomas’ point of view in Dresden. From a quick Google search I discovered that over 3,900 TONS of bombs and incendiary devices were dropped on Dresden, creating a firestorm that destroyed 15 square miles of the city. So, as Mr. Harrington said, it’s now more understandable why he seemed to give up on life. At the same time, it’s upsetting that he isn’t really making use of his newfound life – especially considering he was one of four bodies (out of 220!!) that were recalled to life from the foot of the bridge in Dresden. The relationship between Thomas and Grandma really bothered me; they are so broken and their house was certainly not a home, considering they had little pockets of “nothing” all over the place. Was there ever any love in that relationship?
PS - If you caught the Tale of Two Cities reference in my blog entry, you’re awesome. ;-)
soooooo, second person to post, and its 3rd period, the day this blog is due....way to go guys :)
ReplyDeleteAnyways, the relationship (as emily described) between grandma and Thomas really bothers me for two reasons. First is the fact that grandma is Anna's sister. In my opinion, it's a little bit... strange that they're both ok with settling for that. If you disregard that little tidbit of strange, the thing that bugs me the most is that they don't make the most of the fact that they happened to find each other. They just don't seem to appreciate that out of the 4 people who survived the bombing, they found each other, and in that they each found 1 of the 3 possible people who could understand that traumatic experience that occurred in Dresden. I just can't believe that they don't make use of that, nor realize that each understands some of what's going on in the other's head. Worst of all, however, is that they NEVER talk about. Instead they just create barriers to hide their experience from themselves and each other, which is frustrating because it's not like there's anything to hide (well except for Anna's baby, but grandma is so willing to compromise that i don't think it would really matter) because they were both in the same situation.
Another point of interest for me was the visit to the Psyciatrist. What really struck me was the realization that Oskar's mom is just as confused and torn up as Oskar is; in part because of Oskar himself. We found out a bit about her feelings when Oskar confronts her about Ron, but the scene with the Psyciatrist really acts as proof. I would love a chapter from her point of view, because she would have such a completely different point of view from Oskar. Unlike Oskar, who's trying so desperately to make any connections he can with his dead dead father. his mother is willing to move on and cope by making herself happy. Her trip to the psyciatrist show, however, that her plan isn't going quite as planned. She herself is probably confused because she's not entirely positive how "happy" she's allowed to be, but then further confused by Oskar because it's hard to tell a little kid that they have to move on. Obviously she supports his quest for "Black," because she not only is ok with him walking all over new york, but i have a hunch she called all of the Black's ahead of time to let them know that Oskar would be coming. However, she definately is worried that Oskar's just not expressing himself, or letting out any of that pent up anger of his, and is willing to do just about anything to make it better (by sending him and herself to a psyciatrist), but still wants to protect him (by refusing to "hospitalize" him). It's quite the dilema for her to contemplate: should she allow him to try and make connections with his father in hopes of him gaining acceptance, or force him to let it go and move on.
Hmmm… what interests do I have? Wow there are so many!
ReplyDeleteI think my primary interest is the differences in writing styles and layouts between this book and writing styles of basically every other book. The reason for this is mostly because of a novel I read over the summer called about a young autistic boy who is trying to solve the murder of the neighborhood dog, Wellington, while learning to cope with his parents messy divorce. Both novels mirror the systematic and vivid thought process that the main characters go through, whether it be through countless photographs or dioramas. It seems like both novels want the reader to thoroughly understand the complexity of the main characters mind. So, I guess my biggest interest is why do these novels change their writing styles… is it because they want to mirror the thought processes of the main character or is it more of a competitive move to make the novels appear more original compared to a more traditional writing entry?
At the same time I’m really fascinated by the letters Oskar’s grandparents. I haven’t quite figured out why Foer placed them in the novel… but I do have a hunch. I think Foer wants to emphasize the connection between Oskar and his grandparents. Foer wants and the reader to realize that everyone has some sort of issue that will be a life-long battle. Furthermore, this similarity is what enables Oskar to understand and appreciate his grandparents, the fact that they are all dealing with an internal struggle.
I also noticed that in the novel the only family member that has not written a letter or had a letter devoted to them yet is Oskar’s mother. Foer does this because Oskar really doesn’t have a relationship with his mother, whether it be built up resentment or lack of communication both seem not to be able to understand each other. It saddens me that they can’t seem to relate, but my hope is that this is one of Foer’s goasl in the novel, to show the progression of Oskar’s relationship with his mother from cold distance to mutual appreciation.
All in all, this book has been a real pleasure, that I am thoroughly enjoying!
Katie, The curious incident of the dog in the night-time is one of my favorite books of all time! I had not made a previous connection between the two novels, but now that you mention it the conversational style is present in both books. The style in which the book is written is very interesting to me, as it is conversational, but extremely deliberate. Foer does an incredible job of weaving small details and motifs through the book and has a perfect balance of innocence and intelligence in the narrators voice. Because of the way I learn I find it to be much easier to be interested in a book that is written as a stream of thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThere are two particular things that interest me. First is the bruises that Oskar gives himself. It is clear that Oskar feels a lot of pain, and he keeps a majority of it zipped up in the sleeping bag of himself. He does not have a true outlet, so this results in his inflicting pain upon himself. At first it seems insignificant, until we realize that it is a reoccurring thing. Every time he does something remotely wrong he "gives himself a bruise" and as a reader you begin to feel concern towards his actions.
The next thing that interests me is that Oskar never showed anyone the messages from his father. They sit buried away in the closet, all that is truly left of him. Is this because he wants it to be a memory only he can keep, or is he honestly trying to protect the rest of his family members for the sorrow hearing their loved ones voice may cause.
I found Bolap225's realization that, "Foer wants to emphasize the connection between Oskar and his grandparents" by having them be the main narrators of the novel (so far). Oskar doesn't seem to completely realize this connection. However, I think when Oskar viewed his grandmother carrying that huge rock back to her house, he felt a link to her. Oskar and his grandmother's loses of people are very similar, be it the grandfather or Oskar's father, and they seem to cope with the loses in about the same way, by burying it inside themselves.
ReplyDeleteOskar has always been drawn towards the unknown and the mysterious, like in his search for the lock to his father's key. When Oskar watches his grandmother weighed down by this huge boulder, but then never to see it or hear about it again, his innovative and imaginative mind can be pictured to start up. Oskar likes to be presented with these mysteries, and he can really relate to people with a few quirks (like the 103 year old Black who lives above him and puts nails into his bed). Oskar's realization about his grandmother brings him closer to her, though we haven't witnessed this yet besides her always coming to his Hamlet play (even more than his mom). Oskar has not seen his mother cope with the death of her husband in any quirky or mysterious way, but rather by putting it behind her and hanging out with Ron, and for this simple and common interaction Oskar cannot relate to his mother.
I want to start by saying I really enjoy reading this book. The pictures, the format, and the writing all correspond, to draw me into story and personify what goes through Oskar’s mind. Secondly I would like to agree with Liza, and say that the bruises that Oskar gives himself are very strange and confusing.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the thing that interests me the most however, is the key and lock search. When Oskar hears the laughter that his mother and Ron sound from the other room, he feels as though his mother is betraying his father. And with this feeling, Oskar felt the need to prove that he is still morning and missing his father. When Oskar goes through his father’s things, I felt as though he was in search of his father. And when he finds mysterious key, Oskar believes that it was put there for him to find it. The key fills him with his father’s presence. Because Oskar’s father played mysterious games with him, this search for a lock, distracts Oskar from his morning, and gives him hope toward feeling his father’s presence again.
This connects to the messages as well. Oskar’s relationship with his father was like none other. The explanations of their games, there stories, and their conversations are very touching. These antidotes allow the reader to truly fell for Oscar’s loss. Oskar is in need of feeling his father’s presence and by keeping the messages from the day he died, Oskar is able to keep his voice. Specifically, keep his voice away from his mother, who he feels is undeserving of feeling his fathers presence. This power that Oskar holds is another form of distraction.
At first I felt like the key search was just a cute little side note Foer brought into the novel. But I realized that it was much more than that. The search for the right lock was a search for his father. Oskar feels as though he needs to meet every person with the last name Black in the city, to find something that can allow him to hold on to the essence of his father. This tragic, and heart wrenching need that Oskar feels, brings a sorrowful cloud over the story. Although the key brings him to meet amazing people like the one hundred and three year old man, the artist, the rich woman, and the poor man, all which lighten up the story with powerful antidotes, Oskar is really only searching for an answer. An answer to why is father is gone, why he left, and why he found this key. Oskar is lost without his father, and he hopes that by finding the lock, he will be on the right path again.
This interests me because I have never felt such pain and such need. I have lost grandparents, aunts, and my home, but never someone likes my own parent. This loss seems unbearable and this search seems like an extremely painful and understandable act of coping. But it also seems like an extremely lonely way of coping. This makes me extremely frustrated and pained by Oskar’s actions. I just wish someone could understand him like his father once did.
I would definitely have to agree with bolap225 (Katie?) in that the writing style and layout of this book is what makes it so unique and interesting to readers. I love how I am reading the book and I look at the seemingly random pictures and eventually figure out their meaning 50 pages later. Foer does an amazing job of weaving little details throughout the entire novel through things that seem random at first but eventually hold a huge amount of weight, such as pictures, changes in text forms (all caps, differing text size, etc), writing on the pages and much more.
ReplyDeleteAnother one of my favorite parts of this novel is all of Oskar's various catch phrases. Every time he says "obviously", "which i know about", "jose", "one hundred dollars", and all of the others, I can't help but smile. It brings me back to my younger years when my friends and I would make up code words and use them all the time.
Also, I know we talked about this a little today in class, but I am really interested in how all of the Blacks seem to know Oskar's name before he tells them. The only logical explanation would be that Oskar's mother or grandmother is calling the Blacks beforehand, which would definitely change the story around. In the story at this point, it seems as if Oskar is very alone in the world without his father, but if a family member was secretly aiding him in his lock and key search, that would mean that Oskar isn't as alone as he believes.
I am very excited to continue reading on in the book and hopefully find the answers to some of my questions!
Like a few of you have said already, I love this book. I love the humor of a 9 year old mind as he tries to cope with the loss of his role model/dad.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason that I love this book so much is because it is not just about a kid losing his father and the Grandma and Thomas' story. I think it is really cool that Oskar is at an age where he is also beginning the process of finding out who he is as a person in the world. Granted that process became a lot harder when his dad died, but I think we can all somehow relate to that part.
Unlike most though, I do not mind the relationship between Grandma and Thomas. I know that every person grieves a different way, and it seems like this was the best way for them to grieve. I know personally that I wouldn't want to talk about something that horrific. Though the “Something and Nothing” areas are a bit bizarre, I think this is actually a clever way to morn. Rather than having to face the other in their home when they are having a moment (or in their case, hours) they have time to get away from reality to morn in a way that they can handle. It makes perfect sense to me that they would end up together, hoping that the other will help them make it through the day. And as for being together, it doesn't seem wrong to me to forge the connection in hopes of being linked to the past once again.
I also really love the relationship between Oskar and Grandma. I love that they can be together and not talk about anything, and still be comforted. She is the only person that he tries to stay somewhat close to and in a time where he doesn't know what to do next, I feel like she is the figurative rock keeping him from having a complete breakdown.
The part that puzzles me the most is the lock and key search. First, I don’t understand why a mother would let her son go all around New York alone or with a old man. I just think that is irresponsible. And then there are the Blacks. Unlike most of the people who believe that Oskar’s mom or grandma is calling ahead, I came up with a different theory. Many people said that after 9/11 New Yorkers had a new sense of camaraderie. This is what I thought of when I read about the people opening their doors and letting a complete stranger in. After such a horrific day, fellow New Yorkers were no longer the enemy.
I love this book so much. This is the first book that I have ever read ahead just because I want to. I’m excited to see what happens!
1. This book just makes me think about how I am reading my own train of thought. It is amazing to read this book from the perspective of a 9 year old… because his way of thinking is very similar to mine… which is great auk.
ReplyDelete2. I definitely agree with Molly about the fact that the pictures tie everything together and that I love this book, a lot.
So what interests me the most about Oskar, is his incessant need to create inventions. I feel as though he uses inventions to supplement something he is lacking in his life, whether it’d be social skills or people he is close to, all of these inventions seem to have to deal with his suddenness. I pity him every time he has started to re-invent after his father died, because his father was the only one who could calm his mind. The strong, loving relationship the two of them took away from Oskar’s sense of solitude. Sadly now that his father is gone, he is forced to continue inventing things to ease the pain and continue his solo life.
Another thing that I enjoy is reading his encounters with the Black families. He is a young child who reaches out to everyone. He has this magnificent ability to touch people so that they forever remember him. I find that particularly interesting because he is so memorable, but as demonstrated in the Hamlet play, all he wanted to do was disappear into the shadows. Going along with this Hamlet reference, I find that his maturity for his age is also quite interesting. The thoughts he has about what to do with Snyder shows his maturity, yet childishness.
Oskar seems to be trapped in two worlds, the world that his father had died in and the world that his father had lived in. He is trying to find his way into the second world by way of the key. He constantly searches for answers instead of wallowing all of the time.
Well 3:31 on the day the post was due.. and nine people have posted?
ReplyDeleteAnyways, as many of you stated already, I enjoy reading this book berry berry much. I had to throw in something kind of like Oskar's "Jose." This book has an aspect of organization within disorganization which captivates my attention. When reading a book from the perspective of a supposed nine year old, the curiosity of youth and confusion is evident. Also by creating a narrative which completely is a complete reflection of the thoughts of a grieving nine year old, the reader sees first hand into a child which is coping with the past and slightly afraid of the future. Oskar's random yet intelligent thoughts mixed in with his slightly neurotic personality form a charming character which I believe everyone can identify with in at least the slightest manner.
This book although very straight forward in various aspects and understandable as Mr. H points out, has aspects which remain confusing in my mind. I am very confused as to what Oskar hopes to gain from finding out where the key leads. Does he want to find closure? finish a search? Personally I would suspect a secret affair but I guess that in the mind of a 9 year old that is not the obvious assumption.
In addition, the speechlessness of the Grandfather does not sit well with me. I have trouble understanding his need to be silent. Of course I can see that he has been involved in a very traumatic series of events but time has passed and I do not see his need to be "nothing." Although the grandma has also been through her fair share of horrific events, she has been able to move past the pain and speak and associate with others. Yes, she does have her personality complexes but in my opinion she has moved centuries past the Grandpa. And on a lighter note, the whole write five words on one sheet of paper thing.. kinda killing our trees here.
Although there are some definite things that confuse me and stir my mind, the little things that are not self explanatory make the book all the more interesting and enjoyable to read. As Asha stated, this is one of the first books in this class where I have not been able to put the book down because it is so much fun to read. Thanks Mr. H, a great novel.
I guess I'm one of the few who's not the biggest fan of this book. But what interests me the most is how much lost love plays into this story. Oskar recently lost his father, one of the few people he truly loved, and, throughout the book, is trying to find a way to deal with this loss. He does this by increasingly isolating himself from anyone close to him and opening his heart out to strangers. Another example is the weird relationship between the grandmother and the grandfather. Grandmother loves Grandfather, but it seems as if Grandfather cannot love her back because of his love for the long deceased Anna, Grandmother's sister. Even though their relationship seems very convoluted and unnecessarily confusing, they find a way to compromise their half-hearted love for eachother. Grandfather pretends that Grandmother is Anna and Grandmother pretends that Grandfather loves her. When Oskar sets off on his quest for the owner of the safe with the name Black, he meets a lot of lonely people who are either looking for love or are still mourning their deceased loved ones. One example is Mr. Black, the old man who decided to help Oskar with his search. He dealt with his loss by sealing himself in his apartment for twenty-four years. He not only sealed himself in his apartment, but he also sealed himself inside of himself by turning off his hearing aids, so the only things he could hear were his thoughts and his memories. Another way he dealt with his wife's death was by nailing a nail into his bed frame for every day after her death. Ruth Black was yet another person Oskar met during his search. She also locked herself in an enclosed space once her husband, a travelling salesman, died. When he was alive, he would flash a spotlight at her during his working hours while Ruth was in the Empire State Building, so that she could always know where he was. For this reason, the Empire State Building became a place in which she was pleasantly reminded of her husband every day. Love lost tore apart these people's lives in very strange ways, and almost completely isolated them from the outside world.
ReplyDeleteI was pulled into this captivating story since the first paragraph through Foer's extremely hilarious humor and comical writing in the midst of an extremely difficult topic. What interests me most is Oskars intelectual curiosity, despite his young age. At times it is easy to forget that he is only nine years old, as he is clearly wise beyond his years.
ReplyDeleteI am also interested in his search for "Black," that began when he was rummaging through his fathers closet. It is as if the entire book is one of his father's Renaissance missions, and he delves so deep into the mystery of the key and the envelope. You would not expect a nine year old to come to the conclusions he does, or focus so intently on the mystery, but Oskar is also a special kid.
Exceeding my previous interests is the special relationship between Oskar and his father. This definitely hit straight to my heart. When this happens to me, or when my emotions are brought up from underneath, I can't stop reading. Family bonds have always been infinitely important to me and this chapter where Oskar describes his close relationship with his father makes me want to be nine again and be able to share so much time with my dad again.