Different Perspectives

[Russell]

While Oskar is trying to go search for the meaning of the key he encounters a bunch of different people each with their own unique personality and life story.

I thought that by incorporating a bunch of little encounters with different people it really shows that although Oskar is focused on trying to find the meaning to the key there are a bunch of other people who are trying to sort through their own problems such as how Abby Black was going through a divorce when Oskar met her. Through the different interactions that Oskar has on his quest it really sheds some light on the idea that Oskar although he has his own problems there are other people out their with their own problems too contributing to the theme that the world doesn't really revolve around an individual person.

What did you guys think?

[Jenna]

I totally agree. I think part of the reason why he is having so much trouble finding meaning for the key is he realizes that everyone else in the world also has stuff to deal with. I don't even think it occurs to him that other families have lost loved ones to 9/11 or that there are constantly issues popping up in the daily lives of people all over the world. To me, it seems as if Oskar might have thought other people didn't feel emotions as greatly as he did because what happened to him was so life changing. Now that he sees that normal people like him are struggling too, I think it really opens his eyes.

[Tucker]

definitely adds to how oskar is growing throughout the story. meeting a bunch of older strangers and trying to understand their perspective from such a young age is definitely eye opening for him. although i feel sometimes that he acts a little older than someone his age.