This is a guide for my AP English Literature students to help them make sense of the literature we encounter, and I will include some cool stuff that will lead others to love and admire a variety of authors and their works.
Why does Oskar's father tell him the story of the Sixth Borough? What is the moral of the story here? How does it tie in with Oskar's earlier search in Central Park?
15 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Oskar's father tells him the story of the Sixth Borough because, it is a fable that can relate to each others relationship. The Sixth Borough is symbolic to the inevitable passage of time. The fable relates to the whole book to the key Oskar finds that was his fathers. The moral of the story is that something that seems too perfect to last, cannot last forever. Which, is the Sixth Borough and Oskar's relationship with his father. The fable ties into the story in many different ways. A few examples, the message in the tin can foreshadows Oskar finding the key in his dads vase and also foreshadows voice messages form 9/11. Also, by keeping this message that can never be listened to, it foreshadows the grandfather burying the letters in his sons coffin.
Oskar's father uses the Sixth Borough as a way to connect to his son and also help Oskar connect to others. The fable of the Sixth Borough shows the effects of loss and the acceptance of loss. These are themes Oskar tackles with after his father's death. However, while his father was alive the story connected the two generations in it's mystery. Oskar's father elaborated on the story to connect with his son, but then Oskar would bring his father "evidence" of the Sixth Borough. It is also obvious that Oskar is not a "normal" young kid and is extremely intelligent. This challenge of finding the Sixth Borough stimulated Oskar's spirit and imagination. It also got him out into the society of New York. It is interesting that Oskar's father managed to leave him a challenge to connect the two even in death. While the Sixth Borough may only be a fable, it is as real to Oskar as his search for the lock.
The story of the Sixth Borough is meant to represent the passage of time. As the Sixth Borough and Manhattan get older, the gap between them gets wider. When people jump between the two, there is no longer joy, but anxiety. Children have to add more string to a tin can phone as gets Manhattan and the Sixth Borough drift apart. The Sixth Borough can’t be tethered to Manhattan. I believe Oskar’s father was trying to tell Oskar some things are inevitable. The Sixth Borough may have floated away, but there are still memories of it in everything. Oskar’s father may be gone, but there are memories of him everywhere.
Oskar's father uses the "Sixth Borough" as a parable that explored the separation of people. He mentioned that some people would leave and some would refuse to leave. The kids who kept lengthening their tin can phones trying to stay connected is a tragic adventure in futility. The kids would keep adding string but no matter how much they added, they just grew further apart. Eventually they either ran out of string or got tired of trying, so the boy asked the girl to say "I love you." Without hesitation she said it, and the boy put a lid on the can and put her love on a shelf. Even if he could never hear it again, he could still see it, and that was enough. When the borough eventually traveled to Antarctica, the love froze over and sat alone on the shelf for the rest of time. The names on the trees in Central Park is sad too, because they are people who are forgotten or left behind in time. It calls upon the adage "you die twice, once when you have to die, and again the last time anyone says your name." Oskar says he wonders how many people have ever died, but I wonder how many people have died twice.
I agree with Corinne that the story is meant to represent what can happen between two people after the passage of time. Sometimes, people grow apart after time. They try hard to hold on (adding string), but in the end all they are left with is the memories, like a voice in a can. It shows that sometimes no matter how hard you try, people just drift apart and no amount of trying can stop it.
This fable also ties into Oskar's search in Central Park because in the story, Central Park came from the middle of the Sixth Borough. This story leads Oskar to believe that maybe the items he found were left over from the residents of the Sixth Borough. This adds more mystery and curiosity for Oskar. It shows how his father was always encouraging him to be creative and think deeply.
I think that first off this fable showed a piece of Oskar and his dad's relationship. Oskar looked up to and admired his dad in so many ways. He admired him and loved listening to him tell stories. You can just see the awe that Oskar is in while learning new things and listening to his dad speak of old tales. I think it was something special that Oskar has memories of! I agree with what Hayden was saying about the story symbolizing how with time, people are separated. We don't choose to, but eventually, time will separate weak relationships that don't put continual effort in. In the story, adding more sting can stand for us trying to maintain the friendship, but at the end of the day, they may not be there. Sadly, in some way they probably hose that.
I think Oskar's father telling him this story has a huge impact on giving Oskar a different point of view. I liked how his father asked him if he was an optimist or a pessimist. I think that Oskar always wants to show his father how great he can be by making him proud, so telling him he was an optimist probably made him feel good to prove himself to his dad, even if he was again interrupting the story. This story of central park and all the other boroughs plays a role in Oskar's search for his father's key. I think that knowing this story and knowing how influential central park is may help Oskar find his way to the object in which the key belongs to. This story seems like just another fable that Oskar's father would never know about how influential they would be to him. Just as cirlcing "never stop looking" in the news paper, this story too edges Oskar on to go beyond what most little kids are capable of.
The main reason why Oskar's father shared the story of the "sixth Borough" was to make Oskar get a look at a different view of life. The story is about time and distance. As time increases, so can the distance between the two boroughs. This story gave Oskar the power and insight to not only realize this exists, but to no longer have to feel the effects of distance that time can create.
Oskar's father tells him the story of the "Sixth Borough" to show a different perspective than what he had. Oskar listened well, but also asked questions even though he loved hearing his father tell him stories. I also agree with what Hayden was stating that the story represents time and explores the separation of people. We never choose when we separate from someone, time catches up and slowly spreads the distance between the relationships that both of the parties had no interest in. But the stronger the interest in a relationship, the distance that times put in does not matter.
I think Oskar’s father tells him the story about the Sixth Borough to try and strengthen their relationship and to also try to connect and relate with his son. The story of the Sixth Borough is a symbol of time and all the many things that occur when time does pass. Oskar’s father teaches him that some things aren’t meant to last even when people want them to. The story of the two little kids and their can-string line shows how they never wanted their relationship to truly end, they tried to save it by adding more and more string to the line. Eventually, in the end they had to also give up the string line but were still able to keep memories of each other. This story also shows that even if something is gone it’s memory will still be around forever, much like Oskar’s memories of his father.
I agree with Josh, I think that Oskar's father told him the story of the "sixth Borough" because he wanted Oskar to be able to think deeper and know there is a deeper meaning in life through time and distance. More and more time passed and the distance between Manhattan and the Sixth Borough became further and further apart. I love how Oskar's father uses this to symbolize people like Haley and Hayden said. Time and distance affect relationships and we never choose to separate, just like the sixth Borough did. Central Park I think helps Oskar in the search to find where the key belongs that he found from his father. It gives him hope that he needs to keep going and searching for the perfect fit for the key.
I agree with many of the comments explaining that the story represents the separation of people over time but I also see another meaning in the story. Oskar's Father claims that some people believe there was a Sixth borough and some do not believe. Oskar's father tells him this elaborate story to strike curiosity in Oskar. He knows his son questions everything and his want for knowledge is unlike other kids. He knows his son's drive could lead him to great things and he does not want him to fall into the trap many people fall into and lose sight of believing the impossible could be possible. This ties into Oskar's earlier search in Central Park because Oskar finds things you may not think would be there. I believe Oskar's father told him this story to make sure his son's curiosity, hope, and determination never fades.
Many of the comments I agree with the "sixth burrow" was created to show the separation between two kinds of people. His father tells him this story and Oskar immediately starts asking questions. He is very curious and his father is very patient because they are very similar. His father is trying to teach him that even though two things separate and no longer exist it doesn't mean they aren't there still. Oskar's father told it to him to keep his son intrigued, curious and to make sure he never loses that.
I agree with many of the comments saying that the story is told to teach a lesson about the changes in relationships over time. The story teaches that relationships are important to people. People care about relationships and have a lot of feelings surrounding their relationships. Sometimes however, people focus so much on the feelings surrounding relationships, that they look past the inevitable, logical problems that surround relationships, such as the sixth burrow floating away.
I took this story as literal for a little to long for my comfort. I managed to get to the point where they put hooks onto an island and moved it before I googled the Sixth Borough and face-palmed pretty solidly. I could kind of see the whole "super string" with the tea bag string maybe being literal, cause that wacky activity would be super interesting and therefore something I'd enjoy doing, but the "moving an island" part really put a nail in the non-fiction possibility. Sometimes, it's better to imagine fiction as a reality, which explains a lot of my previous actions. For tax reasons, no details are necessary or forthcoming. After such a long story though, Oskar's dad's shrug made me chuckle. Don't ask me why. I don't know.
15 comments:
Oskar's father tells him the story of the Sixth Borough because, it is a fable that can relate to each others relationship. The Sixth Borough is symbolic to the inevitable passage of time. The fable relates to the whole book to the key Oskar finds that was his fathers. The moral of the story is that something that seems too perfect to last, cannot last forever. Which, is the Sixth Borough and Oskar's relationship with his father. The fable ties into the story in many different ways. A few examples, the message in the tin can foreshadows Oskar finding the key in his dads vase and also foreshadows voice messages form 9/11. Also, by keeping this message that can never be listened to, it foreshadows the grandfather burying the letters in his sons coffin.
Oskar's father uses the Sixth Borough as a way to connect to his son and also help Oskar connect to others. The fable of the Sixth Borough shows the effects of loss and the acceptance of loss. These are themes Oskar tackles with after his father's death. However, while his father was alive the story connected the two generations in it's mystery. Oskar's father elaborated on the story to connect with his son, but then Oskar would bring his father "evidence" of the Sixth Borough. It is also obvious that Oskar is not a "normal" young kid and is extremely intelligent. This challenge of finding the Sixth Borough stimulated Oskar's spirit and imagination. It also got him out into the society of New York. It is interesting that Oskar's father managed to leave him a challenge to connect the two even in death. While the Sixth Borough may only be a fable, it is as real to Oskar as his search for the lock.
The story of the Sixth Borough is meant to represent the passage of time. As the Sixth Borough and Manhattan get older, the gap between them gets wider. When people jump between the two, there is no longer joy, but anxiety. Children have to add more string to a tin can phone as gets Manhattan and the Sixth Borough drift apart. The Sixth Borough can’t be tethered to Manhattan. I believe Oskar’s father was trying to tell Oskar some things are inevitable. The Sixth Borough may have floated away, but there are still memories of it in everything. Oskar’s father may be gone, but there are memories of him everywhere.
Oskar's father uses the "Sixth Borough" as a parable that explored the separation of people. He mentioned that some people would leave and some would refuse to leave. The kids who kept lengthening their tin can phones trying to stay connected is a tragic adventure in futility. The kids would keep adding string but no matter how much they added, they just grew further apart. Eventually they either ran out of string or got tired of trying, so the boy asked the girl to say "I love you." Without hesitation she said it, and the boy put a lid on the can and put her love on a shelf. Even if he could never hear it again, he could still see it, and that was enough. When the borough eventually traveled to Antarctica, the love froze over and sat alone on the shelf for the rest of time. The names on the trees in Central Park is sad too, because they are people who are forgotten or left behind in time. It calls upon the adage "you die twice, once when you have to die, and again the last time anyone says your name." Oskar says he wonders how many people have ever died, but I wonder how many people have died twice.
I agree with Corinne that the story is meant to represent what can happen between two people after the passage of time. Sometimes, people grow apart after time. They try hard to hold on (adding string), but in the end all they are left with is the memories, like a voice in a can. It shows that sometimes no matter how hard you try, people just drift apart and no amount of trying can stop it.
This fable also ties into Oskar's search in Central Park because in the story, Central Park came from the middle of the Sixth Borough. This story leads Oskar to believe that maybe the items he found were left over from the residents of the Sixth Borough. This adds more mystery and curiosity for Oskar. It shows how his father was always encouraging him to be creative and think deeply.
I think that first off this fable showed a piece of Oskar and his dad's relationship. Oskar looked up to and admired his dad in so many ways. He admired him and loved listening to him tell stories. You can just see the awe that Oskar is in while learning new things and listening to his dad speak of old tales. I think it was something special that Oskar has memories of!
I agree with what Hayden was saying about the story symbolizing how with time, people are separated. We don't choose to, but eventually, time will separate weak relationships that don't put continual effort in. In the story, adding more sting can stand for us trying to maintain the friendship, but at the end of the day, they may not be there. Sadly, in some way they probably hose that.
I think Oskar's father telling him this story has a huge impact on giving Oskar a different point of view. I liked how his father asked him if he was an optimist or a pessimist. I think that Oskar always wants to show his father how great he can be by making him proud, so telling him he was an optimist probably made him feel good to prove himself to his dad, even if he was again interrupting the story. This story of central park and all the other boroughs plays a role in Oskar's search for his father's key. I think that knowing this story and knowing how influential central park is may help Oskar find his way to the object in which the key belongs to. This story seems like just another fable that Oskar's father would never know about how influential they would be to him. Just as cirlcing "never stop looking" in the news paper, this story too edges Oskar on to go beyond what most little kids are capable of.
The main reason why Oskar's father shared the story of the "sixth Borough" was to make Oskar get a look at a different view of life. The story is about time and distance. As time increases, so can the distance between the two boroughs. This story gave Oskar the power and insight to not only realize this exists, but to no longer have to feel the effects of distance that time can create.
Oskar's father tells him the story of the "Sixth Borough" to show a different perspective than what he had. Oskar listened well, but also asked questions even though he loved hearing his father tell him stories. I also agree with what Hayden was stating that the story represents time and explores the separation of people. We never choose when we separate from someone, time catches up and slowly spreads the distance between the relationships that both of the parties had no interest in. But the stronger the interest in a relationship, the distance that times put in does not matter.
I think Oskar’s father tells him the story about the Sixth Borough to try and strengthen their relationship and to also try to connect and relate with his son. The story of the Sixth Borough is a symbol of time and all the many things that occur when time does pass. Oskar’s father teaches him that some things aren’t meant to last even when people want them to. The story of the two little kids and their can-string line shows how they never wanted their relationship to truly end, they tried to save it by adding more and more string to the line. Eventually, in the end they had to also give up the string line but were still able to keep memories of each other. This story also shows that even if something is gone it’s memory will still be around forever, much like Oskar’s memories of his father.
I agree with Josh, I think that Oskar's father told him the story of the "sixth Borough" because he wanted Oskar to be able to think deeper and know there is a deeper meaning in life through time and distance. More and more time passed and the distance between Manhattan and the Sixth Borough became further and further apart. I love how Oskar's father uses this to symbolize people like Haley and Hayden said. Time and distance affect relationships and we never choose to separate, just like the sixth Borough did. Central Park I think helps Oskar in the search to find where the key belongs that he found from his father. It gives him hope that he needs to keep going and searching for the perfect fit for the key.
I agree with many of the comments explaining that the story represents the separation of people over time but I also see another meaning in the story. Oskar's Father claims that some people believe there was a Sixth borough and some do not believe. Oskar's father tells him this elaborate story to strike curiosity in Oskar. He knows his son questions everything and his want for knowledge is unlike other kids. He knows his son's drive could lead him to great things and he does not want him to fall into the trap many people fall into and lose sight of believing the impossible could be possible. This ties into Oskar's earlier search in Central Park because Oskar finds things you may not think would be there. I believe Oskar's father told him this story to make sure his son's curiosity, hope, and determination never fades.
Many of the comments I agree with the "sixth burrow" was created to show the separation between two kinds of people. His father tells him this story and Oskar immediately starts asking questions. He is very curious and his father is very patient because they are very similar. His father is trying to teach him that even though two things separate and no longer exist it doesn't mean they aren't there still. Oskar's father told it to him to keep his son intrigued, curious and to make sure he never loses that.
I agree with many of the comments saying that the story is told to teach a lesson about the changes in relationships over time. The story teaches that relationships are important to people. People care about relationships and have a lot of feelings surrounding their relationships. Sometimes however, people focus so much on the feelings surrounding relationships, that they look past the inevitable, logical problems that surround relationships, such as the sixth burrow floating away.
I took this story as literal for a little to long for my comfort. I managed to get to the point where they put hooks onto an island and moved it before I googled the Sixth Borough and face-palmed pretty solidly. I could kind of see the whole "super string" with the tea bag string maybe being literal, cause that wacky activity would be super interesting and therefore something I'd enjoy doing, but the "moving an island" part really put a nail in the non-fiction possibility. Sometimes, it's better to imagine fiction as a reality, which explains a lot of my previous actions. For tax reasons, no details are necessary or forthcoming. After such a long story though, Oskar's dad's shrug made me chuckle. Don't ask me why. I don't know.
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