Petik.net - The September 11 attacks were one of the most tragic and traumatic events in modern history, affecting millions of people around the world. The impact of the attacks was especially felt by the families and friends of the victims, who had to cope with the loss of their loved ones and the uncertainty of the future.
One of the most acclaimed and popular novels that deals with the aftermath of 9/11 is Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. Published in 2005, the novel tells the story of Oskar Schell, a nine-year-old boy whose father died in the World Trade Center. Oskar is a curious and inventive child, who loves to make things and learn new facts. He is also deeply affected by his father’s death, suffering from insomnia, panic attacks, and depression.
When Oskar finds a mysterious key in his father’s closet, he embarks on a quest to find the lock that it belongs to, hoping to discover something about his father and his life. Along the way, he meets a variety of people, some of whom have their own connections to 9/11, and learns more about himself, his family, and the world.
In this article, I will review Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and explain how it captures the grief and hope of 9/11. I will also discuss the novel’s style, structure, and themes, and how they contribute to its emotional impact and message.
The Grief of 9/11
One of the main themes of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is the grief of 9/11, and how it affects different people in different ways. The novel portrays the grief of Oskar, his mother, his grandmother, and his grandfather, who are all struggling to cope with the loss of Thomas Schell, Oskar’s father and husband.
Oskar’s grief is expressed through his narration, which is full of humor, imagination, and innocence, but also sadness, anger, and guilt. Oskar often describes his feelings as wearing heavy boots, which weigh him down and make him tired. He also gives himself bruises, as a way of punishing himself for not being able to save his father or prevent his death. He feels lonely and isolated, and has trouble communicating with his mother, whom he resents for moving on with her life and dating a new man. He also blames himself for not answering the phone when his father called from the tower, and for not telling him that he loved him.
Oskar’s mother’s grief is more subtle and hidden, but also very real. She tries to be strong and supportive for Oskar, but she also has her own pain and regrets. She misses her husband, and feels guilty for not being able to protect him or say goodbye to him. She also feels guilty for starting a new relationship with Ron, a man who lost his family in 9/11, and for not being able to connect with Oskar. She worries about Oskar’s mental health and behavior, and tries to help him in her own way, such as by contacting the people he visits and making sure they are safe and friendly.
Oskar’s grandmother and grandfather’s grief is more complex and layered, as they have a history of loss and trauma that predates 9/11. They are both survivors of the bombing of Dresden in World War II, which killed their families and destroyed their hometown. They also lost their son, Thomas, who was born mute and ran away from home when he was a teenager. They never saw him again, until he contacted them shortly before 9/11 and asked them to move to New York. They agreed, hoping to reconnect with him and meet their grandson, Oskar. However, they never got the chance, as Thomas died in the attacks.
Oskar’s grandmother and grandfather cope with their grief in different ways. Oskar’s grandmother is more expressive and emotional, while Oskar’s grandfather is more silent and withdrawn. Oskar’s grandmother tries to comfort Oskar and tell him stories about his father and his childhood, but she also suffers from nightmares and flashbacks of the bombing. Oskar’s grandfather, who is also known as the renter, because he lives in Oskar’s grandmother’s apartment, is unable to speak and communicates through writing. He is haunted by his past and his mistakes, and feels guilty for abandoning his wife and son. He also feels guilty for surviving 9/11, while his son did not. He tries to help Oskar with his quest, but he also keeps a distance from him and his grandmother, as he fears losing them too.
The novel shows how the grief of 9/11 is not only personal, but also collective and historical. The novel connects the tragedy of 9/11 to other tragedies, such as the bombing of Dresden, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and the Holocaust. The novel also shows how the grief of 9/11 is shared by many people, not only by the direct victims and their families, but also by the witnesses, the rescuers, the survivors, and the strangers. The novel depicts the diversity and complexity of the people affected by 9/11, and how they cope with their grief in different ways.
The Hope of 9/11
Another main theme of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is the hope of 9/11, and how it emerges from the grief and despair. The novel portrays the hope of Oskar, his mother, his grandmother, and his grandfather, who are all searching for meaning and closure in the wake of 9/11.
Oskar’s hope is expressed through his quest, which is driven by his curiosity and his love for his father. Oskar hopes to find something that will explain his father’s death, or at least make him feel closer to him. He hopes to find a lock that matches the key he found in his father’s closet, and to learn the story behind it. He hopes to honor his father’s memory, and to make him proud. He also hopes to heal his relationship with his mother, and to make new friends.
Oskar’s mother’s hope is expressed through her support for Oskar’s quest, which is driven by her love for her son. She hopes to help Oskar cope with his grief, and to encourage his creativity and intelligence. She hopes to understand Oskar’s feelings, and to share her own. She also hopes to find happiness and peace in her new relationship with Ron, and to move on with her life.
Oskar’s grandmother and grandfather’s hope is expressed through their reunion, which is driven by their love for each other and their family. They hope to overcome their past and their guilt, and to forgive themselves and each other. They hope to reconnect with their son, and to bond with their grandson. They also hope to find a home and a community in New York, and to live in the present.
The novel shows how the hope of 9/11 is not only individual, but also communal and universal. The novel connects the hope of 9/11 to other hopes, such as the hope of peace, the hope of justice, and the hope of humanity. The novel also shows how the hope of 9/11 is inspired by many people, not only by the heroes and the leaders, but also by the ordinary, the unknown, and the unexpected. The novel depicts the kindness and generosity of the people Oskar meets, and how they help him in his quest and in his healing.
The Style of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
One of the most distinctive and innovative aspects of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is its style, which reflects the novel’s themes and emotions. The novel is written in a nonlinear and fragmented way, switching between different narrators, time periods, and formats. The novel combines prose, images, letters, and other elements, creating a rich and diverse text.
The novel’s style mirrors the style of Oskar, who is the main narrator and the main character. Oskar’s narration is full of humor, imagination, and innocence, but also sadness, anger, and guilt. Oskar’s narration is also full of facts, trivia, and inventions, showing his curiosity and intelligence. Oskar’s narration is also full of questions, doubts, and contradictions, showing his confusion and uncertainty.
The novel’s style also mirrors the style of Oskar’s grandfather, who is the other main narrator and the other main character. Oskar’s grandfather’s narration is full of silence, writing, and images, showing his inability to speak and his need to communicate. Oskar’s grandfather’s narration is also full of memories, regrets, and secrets, showing his past and his guilt. Oskar’s grandfather’s narration is also full of blanks, gaps, and erasures, showing his loss and his emptiness.
The novel’s style also mirrors the style of the novel’s themes, which are the grief and hope of 9/11. The novel’s style is full of chaos, disorder, and fragmentation, showing the grief and despair of 9/11. The novel’s style is also full of creativity, diversity, and connection, showing the hope and healing of 9/11. The novel’s style is full of humor, imagination, and innocence, showing the hope and resilience of Oskar. The novel’s style is full of facts, trivia, and inventions, showing the hope and intelligence of Oskar. The novel’s style is full of questions, doubts, and contradictions, showing the hope and curiosity of Oskar.
The novel’s style challenges and engages the reader, inviting them to participate in the novel’s meaning and message. The novel’s style also creates a unique and memorable reading experience, making the novel stand out among other novels about 9/11.
The Structure of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Another distinctive and innovative aspect of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is its structure, which reflects the novel’s themes and emotions. The novel is structured in a nonlinear and circular way, switching between different narrators, time periods, and formats. The novel consists of three main parts, each with a different title and a different focus.
The first part is titled “What The?” and focuses on Oskar’s quest and his encounters with various people in New York. The first part is narrated by Oskar, who tells his story in the present tense and in the first person. The first part also includes letters from Oskar’s grandfather to his son, Thomas, which are written in the past tense and in the third person. The first part also includes images of Oskar’s inventions, such as a birdseed shirt and a teakettle that plays music.
The second part is titled “Why Not?” and focuses on Oskar’s grandmother and grandfather’s past and their relationship. The second part is narrated by Oskar’s grandmother, who tells her story in the past tense and in the first person. The second part also includes letters from Oskar’s grandfather to Oskar’s grandmother, which are written in the past tense and in the second person. The second part also includes images of Oskar’s grandfather’s artwork, such as a collage of hands and a drawing of a door.
The third part is titled “Googolplex” and focuses on Oskar’s resolution and his reconciliation with his mother. The third part is narrated by Oskar, who tells his story in the present tense and in the first person. The third part also includes letters from Oskar’s grandfather to Oskar, which are written in the present tense and in the second person. The third part also includes images of Oskar’s scrapbook, such as a map of New York and a photo of his father.
The novel’s structure mirrors the structure of Oskar, who is the main narrator and the main character. Oskar’s structure is full of chaos, disorder, and fragmentation, showing his grief and despair. Oskar’s structure is also full of creativity, diversity, and connection, showing his hope and healing. Oskar’s structure is full of humor, imagination, and innocence, showing his hope and resilience. Oskar’s structure is full of facts, trivia, and inventions, showing his hope and intelligence. Oskar’s structure is full of questions, doubts, and contradictions, showing his hope and curiosity.
The novel’s structure also mirrors the structure of Oskar’s grandfather, who is the other main narrator and the other main character. Oskar’s grandfather’s structure is full of silence, writing, and images, showing his inability to speak and his need to communicate. Oskar’s grandfather’s structure is also full of memories, regrets, and secrets, showing his past and his guilt. Oskar’s grandfather’s structure is also full of blanks, gaps, and erasures, showing his loss and his emptiness.
The novel’s structure also mirrors the structure of the novel’s themes, which are the grief and hope of 9/11. The novel’s structure is full of chaos, disorder, and fragmentation, showing the grief and despair of 9/11. The novel’s structure is also full of creativity, diversity, and connection, showing the hope and healing of 9/11. The novel’s structure is full of humor, imagination, and innocence, showing the hope and resilience of 9/11. The novel’s structure is full of facts, trivia, and inventions, showing the hope and intelligence of 9/11. The novel’s structure is full of questions, doubts, and contradictions, showing the hope and curiosity of 9/11.
The novel’s structure challenges and engages the reader, inviting them to participate in the novel’s meaning and message. The novel’s structure also creates a unique and memorable reading experience, making the novel stand out among other novels about 9/11.
The Conclusion
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a novel that captures the grief and hope of 9/11, through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy named Oskar Schell. The novel explores the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, and how they affect different people in different ways. The novel also explores the themes of loss, trauma, memory, family, and love, and how they shape the lives of the characters.
The novel is written in a distinctive and innovative style, which reflects the novel’s themes and emotions. The novel is written in a nonlinear and fragmented way, combining prose, images, letters, and other elements. The novel is also written in a humorous, imaginative, and innocent way, showing the personality and intelligence of Oskar.
The novel is structured in a distinctive and innovative way, which reflects the novel’s themes and emotions. The novel is structured in a nonlinear and circular way, switching between different narrators, time periods, and formats. The novel is also structured in a creative, diverse, and connected way, showing the relationships and stories of the characters.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a novel that challenges and engages the reader, inviting them to participate in the novel’s meaning and message. The novel is also a novel that creates a unique and memorable reading experience, making the novel stand out among other novels about 9/11.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a novel that I highly recommend to anyone who is interested in reading a novel about 9/11, or a novel about grief and hope, or a novel about a boy and his quest. It is a novel that will make you laugh, cry, think, and feel. It is a novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a novel that is extremely loud and incredibly close.