The Sixth Borough Significance

Oskar was always close to his dad. However, on the day of the attacks he lost his father forever. losing his father was the hardest thing that he had to go through. The night before the attacks, his father told Oskar his very last story. This story was about the Sixth Borough that was in New York a long time ago and how it was slowly floating away from Manhattan one millimeter every year. This story is significant in Oskar's life, because not only was it the last story his father ever wrote, but it showed how much he admired his father. For example Oskar exclaims, "that story was really awesome' 'im glad you like it' 'awesome" (Foer 223). Whenever Oskar will think about good memories with his dad, this memory will always pop up because it shows Oskar who his dad really was, and how he always had fun telling Oskar crazy stories just ti make him smile. 

The Renters Significance

The renter had always been a mystery to Oskar. He tries asking his grandma questions about the renter but her answers are always very vague. Even though he can't speak, Oskar and the renter still create an incredible bond. He tries to help Oskar mend his heart and Also try to take sense of his fathers death, and why it happened. For example, the renter suggests, "Maybe he ran in to save somebody?"(Foer 255). Oskar still doesn't know that the renter is his grandfather, The one he barely knows anything about and the one that grandma rarely talks about. However, grandpa thinks it is very important for him to get to know his grandson, because he didn't have this chance with his own son. Oskar needs more people in his life that can care and understand him since he lost the one person who met the most to him. 

The Key Significance

I think this key was a very defining moment for Oskar. It gives Oskar hope and a connection to his father after he died in the 9/11 attacks. Dealing with the loss of his father, was extremely hard for him to understand. With this key he begins to not only start to understand his father, but the world around him as well. For example, Oskar explains, "i would spend my Saturdays and Sundays finding all of the people named Black and learning what they knew about the key in the vase in Dad's closet" (Foer 51).  The Expedition to find what this key fits, brings Oskar closer to his dad, even though he is not with him anymore. He believes that his dad set this up for him and that he is obligated and determined to find out answers. It also allows Oskar to stop thinking about his father death, and instead try find the clues and see if he can talk to all the Blacks in New York City.

The Answering Machine Significance

The day of the 9/11 attacks, Oskar was let out of school early. He went home and realized that there were a couple of missed calls, so he decided to check them. He quickly noticed that these messages were from his father. Soon after his father died he takes this answering machine with the messages and keeps it to himself so that he can always hear his father's voice and so he can protect his mother. For example, Oskar explains, "I knew I could never let mom hear the messages, because protecting her is one of my most important raisons d'etre"(Foer 68). Protecting his mom is very  important to him so he feels as if he is making a very important decision by taking the machine before she can hear anything. It also allows Oskar to hear his dads voice whenever he wants, and to pretending even for a little bit that his father isn't really gone.

Grandma's Significance

Connecting with loved ones is very hard for Oskar because it is very hard for him to express his feelings. When his dad passed away, it only made this situation worse. However, his grandma is still there for him and he relys heavily on her. She is there whenever he cant sleep in the night or has problem, or if he even just wants to talk. For example, "i miss dad. Over. I miss him too. Over." (Foer 71). Sometimes its easier to talk to his grandma about certain things, like his father, instead of talking to his mom. He doesn't like upsetting his mother and usually bringing up his father upsets her and puts her in a bad mood.

Flip book Significance

Oskar took the pictures of the the falling man, and put them in reverse order so that instead of falling down towards the ground, the man goes back up towards the building, acting as if the falling never happened. To Oskar, however he pretends this man is his father, and acts as if the attacks never happened and that for one moment in his life that his dad is still alive and is ok. For example, Oskar explains, "We would have been safe"(Foer 326), The flip-book is significant to Oskar because i feel like he finally realizes that no matter what there was nothing he could have done to help his father. He wants his father to come home more than anything in this world, but he starts accepting the fact that he wont come home and that even with his dad gone his life will be ok and that his grandma and mom will be ok as well. 

Empty Coffin Significance

In a way, I think that the empty coffin is good for Oskar and his family. Even though in the beginning it upsets Oskar that they're burying a coffin with no body, in the end its a good thing for Oskar because he fills the coffin with all of the letters that his grandfather to his father. not only was this beneficial to Oskar, but to the grandfather as well. He is finally giving his letters to his son after all these years even though he is not alive. For example, the renter (grandpa) explains, "so what's with all the paper?' He wrote, 'things i wasn't able to tell him. letters." (Foer 322). Putting the letters into the coffin was very important to the renter because it gave him closure and a piece of mind. Now, the guilt he feels everyday for the fact that he was never able to mend their relationship before his son passed, will lessen. He believes that even though his son is  no longer alive, he will still be able to read the letters and understand why his father did what he did all those years ago.

Grandmas letter significance

The letters that Oskar's grandmother writes to him are very important, to not only his understanding of other people but the world, as well. His grandma explains the day of the 9/11 attacks from her perspective and what she thought about the attacks. These letters allow his grandmother to show how much she cares and loves Oskar even if he has a hard time accepting and understanding it. For example, his grandma explains "don't let him see the news. OK. If he asks anything, just let him know that it will be OK"(Foer226). Years down the line when Oskar is older and reads these letters, it will show how much his grandmother loves him and how she would have done anything to protect him. It also allows him to understand that even when you're older you don't have all the answers in life, and that somethings happen without a valid reason. But, you have to learn to accept that and move on and try not to worry about the things you cant change in life and focus on the things you can.