Extremely Loud Incredibly Close By Jonathan Safran Foer

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close By: Jonathan Safran Foer Katlyn Plummer, Leandria Johnson, Abby Blankenhip, & Ashley Sammons

Author Background: Jonathan Safran Foer's style is marked by his use of visual storytelling in non-traditional ways. Foer’s second novel, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, was published in 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, to mixed reviews. The novel went on to become a New York Times Bestseller, an ALA Notable Book for Adults, and has been chosen by numerous colleges as first year reading material since its release. In 2011, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was adapted for the screen, and directed by Stephen Daldry. Starring Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, and Max von Sydow, it was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor in 2013.

Historical Background Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Historical Background on the Atrocities of Hiroshima, Dresden, and 09/11 The September 11, 2001 attacks Commonly referred to as 09/11, this incident is central to the novel. The death of Thomas Schell Jr. in the World Trade Center affects. every major character, and provides Oskar's largest internal conflict as he endeavors to make peace with the tragedy. On September 11, 2001, the terrorist group al-Qaeda orchestrated four attacks on national landmarks, as a direct assault on the United States of America. Osama bin Laden, the attack's chief architect, cited U. S. support of the sanctions against Iraq, among other reasons, as his specific motivation. The fire-bombings of Dresden, Germany In the same way 09/11 altered Oskar's worldview, the 1945 bombings of Dresden, Germany altered the lives of both Thomas Schell Sr. and Grandma. Thomas in particular cannot transcend the horrific things he saw that day

The bombing of Hiroshima Though only briefly mentioned in the novel, in Oskar's school presentation, the bombing of Hiroshima nevertheless reinforces several themes, and in fact is arguably the archetypal image of contemporary wartime atrocity, since it constitutes the first and only use of a nuclear bomb by a major world power.

Brief Summary: EL&IC In Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer the MOWAW is reflected the central idea of the novel and the focal point of the plot and subplot. Oskar Schell suffers the loss of his father Thomas Schell Jr. in the 9/11 attacks. Oskar suddenly finds a mysterious key inside a pouch that says “Black. ” Oskar believes that the mysterious key is a clue in the unsettling death of his father. Oskar frantically searches all of the “Blacks” in New York City. Subsequently, Oskar endures heartfelt situations. Including family problems, new friends, and the revealing of dark secrets. Oskar is the illustration of a hopeless, beaten spirited child. In the face of adversity, Oskar uncovers the truth about the strange key. Ultimately, the outcome changes Oskar’s life. The “key” did not belong to Thomas, it was Mr. Black’s father’s key. The key changed both of their lives that day. This revelation determined the result of whether Oskar would be able to move on from his past or chose to live in it. Oskar gains answers but surrenders hopelessness.

HRLLP CONNECTIONS 1. Every trip is a quest (Except When It’s Not)- When Oskar searches New York City for the lock to fit the key, he goes on a quest. To seek answers about the key and his father’s death. 2. Is That A Symbol? When Oskar discovers the key, the falling man, the door knob, the birds and the boundaries. 3. Geography Matters…- The 9/11 attacks, the Atrocities of Hiroshima and Dresden. These were all important in the shaping of the novel. 4. He’s Blind for a Reason, You Know- Oskar’s grandpa adapts to this chapter perfectly. He is blind to the world around him and refuses to see the good ahead. The “boundaries” and the tragic dismantling of a marriage drove the Grandpa to a dark and depressing mood.

Diction ANALYSIS Throughout the novel, many selections of diction can be considered, such as; Cleverness Curiosity Guilt Communication Love & Family All of which depict the characters & novel as a whole.

Character ANALYSIS Oskar Schell Grandpa Grandma Dad Mom Mr. Black Abby Black William Black All the characters exert different life experiences but can relate to each other on a personal level. These main characters all endured a particular hardship to allow a hope or understanding about the 9/11 attacks. Everyone is seeking answers & they simple interact and encounter them on their own.

Tone ANALYSIS Somber, Sad, Melancholy, Sorrowful- all of these suggest the tone of the novel. In the novel there are moments of hope and security but suddenly we are again, wrapped in a hopeless guilt. Foer explains that love can manage sorrow but sorrow always wins in the end. The tone overall presents a sad and doubtful spirit.

Structure & Form ANALYSIS Nothing really makes sense to young Oskar Schell in post 9/11 Manhattan, is father’s death, his mother’s new “friend”, his Grandmother’s mysterious new renter, and the last quest his father has left for him to solve with the only clue of a key in a blue vase. Using the detective skills that his father taught him, Oskar embarks upon his last “reconnaissance expedition” across the five boroughs of New York. An insensible attempt to make sense of the loss of his father. Along the way, he accumulate a variety of friends that experiences the heart-wrenchingly and heartwarmingly support Oskar through his grief as he involuntarily assists them with theirs as well. As Oskar’s tale unfolds throughout the novel, so do the tales of Oskar’s mute grandfather and his abandoned grandmother, both survivors of the WWII bombing. These three tales and perspectives interlace together into one fused experience, sharing the workings of grief, loss, and sadness. Told from three very unique perspectives, this novel has an insightful way of helping people realize it’s okay to be sad and grieve over someone who is gone. The novel makes thoughtful departures from conventional grammar and punctuation. Characterization is largely delineated by distinct writing style and personal, stylized grammatical conventions.

Lens ANALYSIS Marxist Criticism- Oskar and his family are necessarily upper class and rich but they are defiantly middle class or even a little bit above. Oskar is well off when it comes to money in his family but he isn’t a snobby person, and he cares for the people around him. Physcoanalytic- 1. Oskar- guilt, survivors guilt, denial 2. Grandpa- guilt, inferiority 3. Mother- guilt Feminist Criticism- The more dominant role in the novel are the males. Taking into consideration of the mother, grandmother, and Mrs. Black. The father Thomas Schell (male) is the one who dies in the 9/11 attack. His son Oskar Schell (male) is the one who finds the key. Mr. Black (male) is the one who knows who the key belongs to and what it unlocks, but the females play a very supporting role. Grandma supports Oskar though his journey of trying to find the lock, and Mrs. Black leads Oskar to her ex-husband so he can show him what the key unlocks. Historical- The historical figure in this novel was the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Leas by Osama bin Laden, the terrorist group, al-Qadea lead 4 planes to hit different national buildings in our country. Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center, one crashed into the Pentagon and the fourth plane that was headed for the White House was taken over by passengers and crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Archetypes 1. Oskar- hero 2. Grandma- support system 3. Grandpa- villain 4. Thomas Schell- mentor 5. Mr & Mrs Black- life changers

3 Important Quotes “Every time I left the apartment to go searching for the lock, I became a little lighter, because I was getting closer to Dad. But also became a little heavier, because I was getting farther from Mom. ” – Oskar, p. 52 “…sometimes I can hear my bones straining under the weight of all the lives I’m not living. ” –Thomas Schell S. , p. 113 “There’s nothing that could convince someone who doesn’t want to be convinced. But there is an abundance of clues that would give the wanting believer something to hold on to. ” – Thomas Schell Jr. to Oskar, p. 221

Themes & MOWAW Themes: Death- death overshadows the motivations and emotional wellbeing of all of the main characters, especially Oskar as he struggles with his father’s passing. Love- love binds the main characters together as they navigate the complexities of their grief. Correspondence- the novel binds the grandma and the grandpa together in the letters they write to each other. Journey- Oskar’s quest to find the lock that fits his father’s key. Oskar experiences physical and emotional distress on the quest. Miscommunication- the boundaries that the grandma and grandpa set for each other caused miscommunication in their marriage. Family- suggests that amongst the life changing events, family is the most important.

MOWAW Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close portrays a gut wrenching rewind to America’s deadliest event, 9/11. However, we experience the emotional distress is exerts on Oskar and his family. Throughout the novel, the “key” is depicted as the last scavenger hunt for Oskar faces the brutally honest truth about his family, the key, and the day “it happened”.

Poem of literary merit that you believe connects to the novel: Tell all the truth but tell it slant — (1263) By Emily Dickinson Tell all the truth but tell it slant — Success in Circuit lies Too bright for our infirm Delight The Truth's superb surprise As Lightning to the Children eased With explanation kind The Truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind —

Would you recommend novel to class? Why or why not? Yes, this novel significantly explains the dire importance of detail concerning the 9/11 attacks. This novel displays the tremendous effect of the tragedy and showcases the event on a larger scale. Foer uses symbols, diction and a sufficient amount of imagery to reflect on the day “it happened. ” Furthermore, Foer explains to us that different events can be viewed in different ways. I would highly recommend the novel because of the unique point of view. In relation to the creative ways Foer expresses the heartbreak, desperation, and sorrow exhibited in this novel.