Day+3


 * Syllabus: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close**

**May 6, 2011**


 * Focus Question:** What evidence do you see of author’s craft in this book and what are the reasons behind the author’s craft in this story?


 * Opening Focus Activity:** Follow the link, and discuss the quotes by Foer. Pick one that sticks out to you. Share with the group why it stuck out. []

On page 202, why does Oskar fail to come up with a word that happiness reminds him of?
 * Club Discussion Questions:**

This time in his life is full of sadness and memories and he can't really see the light at the end of the tunnel at this point. His dad brought him so much happiness and now that his dad is gone he doesn't seem that there is any happiness anymore. He is confused about why his dad is gone and doesn't understand why something like that could happen.

Look at the picture on page 208. We are lead to believe that the falling person is Oskar’s dad. Who do you think is the falling person?

It is the picture that he blows up and looks at because he wants to know if it his his dad, but he doesn't know if it is his dad. Metaphorically, it could represent Oskar falling further and further and he hasn't reached the ground yet.

What is the connection between his father not saying goodbye, and Oskar feeling the need to bruise himself? (207)

When Oskar bruises himself, he feels like he did something wrong or he feels like something is his fault. He feels like he lost his fathers loves. Maybe he regrets that he didn't see it coming, or maybe he just feels like he didn't say goodbye and he doesn't know how his father dies, so he probably wants some closure to the death. Right now everything is still left out into the open.

Look at the words and punctuation marks that appear to be circled in red pen starting on page 208, what do they mean?

As it gets closer to the end of the tragic story, there are more and more mistakes that are found. More and more mistakes that can't ever be fixed. Its significant that this is the story where Anna dies and he loses everything, although it all started with the one mistake of getting Anna pregnant.

Oskar finally shares with us the story of the sixth borough. Why does Oskar share this with us now? ( 217)

Maybe this is symbolic of Oskar loosing his connection with his dad and they are getting more and more distant as he is unable to find what lock the key opens.

Do you think that there is a connection with Oskar bruising himself and the tears his mother sheds when she was depending on Grandma on page 231?

Yes, because she is ashamed of her dependency and he is ashamed of his emotions.

Do you think that Oskar wishes that his dad could have jumped from the building and landed like his cat?

I'm sure that he does wish that his father could land because then he would have lived.

On page 197, why does Oskar omit Alice Black’s response and insert the letter from Gary Franklin?

I think it just shows that Alice's answer was going to be disappointing. Didn't achieve anything by talking to her. More and more and more disappointment in his life.

Does Oskar look up to Mr. Black? Why?

Yes because it reminds him of his dad. He needs that male figure and the male support and attention he doesn't get with his mom.

Why did Grandma choose to keep the return of his grandfather secret?

She thought it would lead to more disappointment for Oskar and would cause him to think more and invent more. Increase his sadness.


 * Closing Activity/Extension:** Think about Oskar bruising himself; is there a way in which we figuratively or literally bruise ourselves?