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Why does Oskar fantasize such a violent ending to Hamlet?
I wonder if The Cyclone is still standing after Hurricane Sandy...just wondering...
Oskar ends his Saturday with Ada Black by saying it was depressing. What do you think was so depressing about it?
Oskar has a growing list of cultural history created from old Mr. Black's stories. Anything stick out to you on that list? Any connections between the things on the list? Just wondering what you see or notice...
What is significant about the dates on the rocks?
If you were on one of old Mr. Black's cards, what one word would be next to your name? Tell me why it would be that word.
Why do you think old Mr. Black had turned off his hearing aids? Why do you think he was crying?
Why do you think we get the memory of message Message Three right after his visit with old Mr. Black?
How do you feel about Oskar's interaction with his mom at the end of the chapter? Why do you feel this way?
Oskar goes through a variety of moods in a very short period of time. Do you think these are actual moods, or is he just being dramatic?
Why is this chapter given the title "Heavier Boots"?
88 comments:
Mr. Black states that almost everyone boils down to one word, and I found that they were usually either ‘war’ or ‘money’. Celebrities like Tom Cruise were ‘money’, and others like Pope John Paul were ‘war’. One that stuck with me the most was Mahatma Gandhi because he wanted peace, and I never realized how he boils down to war until I read this. If my name were on one of Mr. Black’s cards, I think the card would read ‘Karlyn Manera: Art’. I wouldn’t boil down to ‘war’ because I have never took part in any war, and I wouldn’t boil down to ‘money’ because I haven’t started my career yet in order to make money. I chose ‘art’ because I love the arts like music and acting.
I believe that the memory of Message Three appears because, like Mr. Black can hear his own voice, Oskar can hear his father’s recorded voice in his head. Mr. Black scurries around his apartment listening to things he hasn’t heard in years, but he finds his own voice the most fascinating of all. So fascinating that he starts to cry. As Mr. Black treasures his ability to hear, Oskar treasures the last few messages his father left, and the last few times he would ever hear his father’s voice.
It was really cool how all the blacks showed up to the play Oskar was in. The fact that they all bothered to come was really cool, but interested me, because all these people that Oskar barely knew acted as if they were his family. Once Hamlet started Oskar decided to purposfully screw up his lines. Oskar is a really positive person, but at times the hardships he's been put through,show through. It's almost as if Oskar can be negative because of his dads death. Or I guess that would be called hatefulness. This seems a common trait in people who have lost loved ones...
I think the people with last name black came because they were intrigued and fascinated by Oskar. Oskar's violent thinking was because of burying so much inside him. For example, he still didn't tell anyone about his father's messages, he only cracked up on the outside when they laughed at his grandmother, and the number of his lies is rising. I think old Mr. Black turned off his hearing aids because he doesn't really need them; he is always inside the apartment. he was crying because he missed hearing very well. The interaction with the mom at the end was very sad. The mom should have paid more attention to Oskar's feelings since the dad's death. Also, Oskar should have been more friendly.
I think pity compelled many of the Blacks to show up to Oskar’s play. They felt bad that his father died and that they couldn’t help him out with the mystery behind the key. Also, the Blacks may have inferred that Oskar doesn’t have a family that loves him since all he talks about is his deceased father.
Most of the people on the cards that Mr. Black had had to do with war since he valued being in the military most of all: “I came home only between wars, and left her alone for months at a time! There was always war!” (161). However, one day he realized that the relationship with his wife mattered even more; he gave up being in the military to stay home with her. Mr. Black considered almost every struggle as a war, even cutting down the tree for his bedroom.
I think all of the Blacks were compelled to show up for Oskar's play because *spoiler alert*- at the end of the novel Oskar discovers that his mother had called all of the Blacks ahead of time and explained the situation. This probably made them all feel very sympathetic towards him, and they felt the need to support him. It gave him a sense of a complete family because so many people cared about him enough to show up. This situation makes what happens between Oskar and his mother at the end of the chapter even more sad. All Oskar's mom wants to do is help him cope in whatever way works for him. She lets him travel about the city, skip school, and visit strangers. Oskar isn't grateful for any of it. She gives him so much support throughout the novel and never disappoints him, and yet he expects her to do everything his way. When he tells his mother that he wishes she would have died, it truly proves how selfish and childish he still is.
I think all the Blacks were compelled to go to Oskar's play because they felt bad for him. They probably felt sorry for him because his father died and they couldn't help him with his key. I also think that they may have went because pretty much everyone that Oskar has visited has seemed to have been affected by Oskar in a positive way. I think they just wanted to support a kid that has obviously been through some rough times.
I think Mr. Black turned off his hearing aids after his wife died. He probably felt as though nothing was worth hearing if she wasn't there. He also could have turned them off because he was sick of hearing about war. Since he was a war correspondent and seemed to view every situation as some sort of war, he may have turned off his hearing aids to escape all the war around him. He starts crying when Oskar turns them on for him probably because it has been so long since he heard anything and it's like hearing everything for the first time again.
Oskar's talk with his mom during the end of the chapter broke my heart as I was reading it. I couldn't help but think of how I would feel if my love died and I was trying to be strong and happy, but my son, who was almost exactly like my husband, kept making me feel like a terrible person for it. Odds are she does feel bad, but she just wants to be happy. It's so sad.
Oskar fantasizes a violent ending to Hamlet because he is very stressed and sad and he usually doesn't express his feeling, so right then he just thought about how it would be if he just let it all out. I do that sometimes too...
I believe Oskar can be very dramatic but I don't believe he is faking any of his emotions. I think he feels so much pain and other emotions such as anger and sadness that he doesn't know how to release them besides all at once. I think Oskar feels like he's alone in this huge world all by himself and that no one knows what he feels. Perhaps he does want attention, attention from even maybe his mother. I believe Oskar is just crying out for help with his range of emotions within such a short period of time. He doesn't know how to control them.
I also think Mr. Black turned off his hearing aid because he had no reason to hear anything that wasn't her beautiful voice. He wanted everything to bland and numb, just like his heart was. I think that he didn't want to feel pain, and by turning off sound, he shut the world out. I believe that's also why he didn't leave his house. Shutting everyone out of his life, and even from hearing, was his way of coping with the death.
All of the Blacks were compelled to show up for Oskar's play because each of them had made a connection with Oskar. Although Oskar only planned on staying a few minutes with each person, he goes out of his way to help each person deal with their problems that they are going through, despite having his own difficulties. Each Black is touched by this, and comes to the play. As Oskar says, none of them knew that they all shared the same last name, nor the connection with him, but they each came with the same purpose- to support Oskar as he supported them. The chapter is called Heavier Boots because although he is slowly making his way through the list of Blacks, he feels like he is no closer to his dad than before he started, and is becoming disheartened. Furthermore, his interaction with Mr. Black is sad, which causes Oskar stress as well.
Mr. Black had thousands of cards with people on it. Mr. Black believes each person is boiled down to one word, such as 'money' or 'war;. If I was one of those cards, my one word would not be war for I have not been in any, or money' because I have not earned as much money as Tom Cruise. The one word would be Music because my whole life as been around band.
I think Mr. Black turned his hearing aids off because what would he listen too? He was with his wife for so long and that was the person he wanted to hear, he got the hearing aids so he could talk to her. When she died, there was no one to talk to, she was his whole world. Once he turned them on, he started to cry. I would say because the first thing he heard were birds and not his wife, so that would make him sad. But he wasn't crying because he was sad or because he was happy. I believe he was crying because he was moving on. He has been in his little, silent world for so long and it was time for him to move on.
During the chapter “Heavier Boots” I believe Oskar was extremely over-dramatic. When I was reading the Hamlet scene, I could tell that the violent behavior was all made-up. Especially when the book said that Oskar smashed Jordan’s head. Instead of thinking of terrible actions and being over-the-top, it would be best if Oskar talked about his feelings and became closer with his mom. I wish these two could have been able to vent together, but Oskar and his mom can’t meet eye to eye. Since Oskar is trying to grieve his father’s death he doesn’t know how to show his emotions to anyone. The aggression Oskar imagines in the play is from the anger that he can’t be with his dad anymore. It was awesome that some of the people that Oskar went to interview about the key came to the play. It shows that there really are nice people in the world because they sincerely felt bad for Oskar’s situation. They wanted to make it known to Oskar that he has others there for him in his time of mourning.
During Oskar’s play, all of the Blacks show up because they are lonely. It seems like they all have empty, hopeless lives. Like they have nothing left to live for. When they meet Oskar, the Blacks realize that he too is emotionally lost and, as misery loves miserable company, they enjoy his companionship. This is interesting because the Blacks live in the hustle and bustle of New York City, surrounded by millions of people, and are still alone. Also, Oskar’s mission to solve the mystery of the key gives them some sort of purpose in their lives.
During Oskar’s fight with his mom, he is firing his pent up anger at her. Oskar is wallowing in self-pity and he wants his mother to be miserable too. Because he is still a kid, Oskar does not understand that moving on does not mean forgetting his dad and replacing him.
I think the Blacks showed up to Oskar’s play because they felt sympathy for him. When Oskar met all of them, he brought up that fact that his father passed away in 9/11. Because the Blacks were not able to help Oskar decode what the key was for, I think they felt obligated to help Oskar in some way or another and in this case, it was supporting him in the play. I also believe that they came to the play to give him comfort. Ever since Oskar’s dad died, he has been distraught over the fact that he doesn’t really have a father figure in his life anymore. Considering Oskar opened up to all of the Blacks about both his dad and how his death made a big impact on him, it would make sense that they wanted to show Oskar that they all care for him.
I believe Oskar fantasized such a violent ending to Hamlet because he is very insecure. Oskar is such a smart boy for his age, but he is still a child in many ways. He has had a very complicated life so far and I think he that was forced to grow up faster than he should have. Oskar keeps many of his emotions bottled up inside of him and I believe that is why he was thinking of a hostile ending.
When all of the Blacks showed up to Oskar's play it touched my heart. He needed support and for all of the Blacks to show up after only meeting him once, was really nice. I think they all came because they most likely felt bad for him. After hearing that he his father passed away and having to tell that they had no clue what the key was for it was the least they could do. The meeting with Mr. Black is definitely my favorite. Mr. Black realizes that the most important thing in his life is wife, so he ends his traveling to spend more time with her. When he was telling Oskar his story, it had me in tears so I can imagine why this chapter was titled "Heavier Boots". After his wife passed away Mr. Black didn't need his hearing aides, there was nothing worth listening to. For years of being shut off from sound it must have been like hearing everything for the first time, that could bring anyone to tears.
I think what compelled the Blacks to show up to Oskars play was the fact that they were intrigued by this young man who just one day showed up at their door.
I feel like the way Oskar treated his mother at the end of the chapter wasn't fair. I feel like hes extremely hard on his mom when the subject of his dad comes up. Oskar treats his mom like its all her fault that his dad died. I just don't think its right.
I think Oskar's Saturday was so depressing because he continously visits people who don't have any idea about the key or his father and he doesn't make any progress. I think Mr.Black must be an intresting guy and his stories about his life would be really cool. He has experienced so much history. I don't know all of the things on Oskar's cultural history list but some of the things that I know or feel like I recognize are: powdering her nose, Churchill,Mustang convertible, Kent State, lard, Polariod, apartheid, drive-in, the Berlin Wall, Gone With the Wind, hula hoop, and Technicolor. I am not really sure why Mr. Black turned off his hearing aid; maybe it was because, after his wife died, he never really had anyone to listen to. He said he orders his food, books, clothing, and etc. over the phone,so you would think he would need to hear the person on the phone,but maybe he just orders what he wants and then he just hangs up. Turning on a hearing aid and being able to hear things for the first time in many years must be a great and moving experience. I think if I ever completely lost my hearing, I would be sad and miss it. I feel the same way about seeing, tasting, or feeling. Being without something like a sense for years and finally using it again would be moving and that is why Mr. Black cries. He misses hearing and is amazed to hear voices, sounds in his apartment, and especially his own voice. Imagine not being able to hear yourself for years, I would miss it.
I believe that the reason Mr.Black turned off his hearing aid is because his wife died. He loved her so much and missed the sound of her voice so much that he didn't want to hear anything. When Oskar told him to turn it on, he was probably nervous. For not hearing after so many years after his wife died, Mr.Black was overwhelmed by the beauty of all the sounds in the world. He missed being able to hear the everyday sounds, and he also missed hearing his wife, too. He cried tears of joy for finally being able to hear the world again, but he also was sad because he knew he would never hear his wife's voice again.
I will say that Oskar's day dream freaked me out a little, but he only thought this because he is hurt and doesn't know how to cope with his father's death. At the end of the chapter, when Oskar said all those rude things to bis mom, I felt sad. He really hurt her and at his age shouldn't have dropped the f bomb. I think that the chapter was named "Heavier Boots" because everything that happened in that chapter mad Oskar sad. He said many times,after something happened that it gave him heavy boots.
I think all the Blacks' showed up to Oskar's play because he affected them each in a different way. He made them think about their lives and they all found an attraction to this mysterious young boy who just randomly showed up at their door one day.
Saturday was depression because Ada Black made Oskar think of who he is. Does he know what he is? Plus, she had no idea what the key went to and had no clue who is dad was.
Mr. Black's cards are interesting because he says everyone comes down to one word. Yet, for many of his examples he only used three words: Art, music, and war. On my card I would have art. I put art because that's all I know right now. I see music as a form of art and I absolutely hate war. But I'm just beginning my life so in a few years I can see my card being changed but I don't know what it would change to.
After reading this chapter it was much clearer how much pain Oskar was really in. I can't imagine how hard it is to lose someone as near and dear to you as Oskar’s dad. As I was reading Oskar’s rewrite to the ending of the play, I couldn't help but think that, that ending was what Oskar really wanted. Or maybe even what he thought he needed. A way to just let all the anger, embarrassment, and sorrow that was building up inside be unleashed, for everything to just make sense; even if it only made sense to him. I don't think Oskar is being over dramatic at all. He has no idea what truly happened to his father. He might think of every way his father could have died, causing him to have such violent thoughts throughout this book. I think Oskar is just a troubled child looking for answers and closer, but is too angry to leave the past behind him.
They all were touched by Oskar’s eccentric/succinct personality and feel like they have befriended him after their individual encounters. He imagined this confrontation between him and Jimmy because Oskar is harboring raw feelings from stress present throughout all aspects of his life. Furthermore, he doesn’t know how to relieve his thoughts and feelings properly because there is nobody he trusts to talk to. If I were to have a word on one of Mr. Black’s cards, it would be “Louie Vogel: Mind”. I chose this word because I hope to one day become a learned doctor in psychology and help others through my interest in social interworking and medicine. I think Mr. Black turned off his ear aids because he was so alone that he no longer had any use for them; once Oskar came through his door, it changed everything by giving him purpose to hear again. Finally, I hate how Oskar treats his mother. Although he feels it’s wrong that his mom is “indifferent” to Thomas’ death, it doesn’t give him any right to project his hatred towards her in such a cold manner. Oskar is ungrateful for what family he still has (including his grandma); in conclusion, his logical lifestyle prevents him from having a proper relationship.
I think all the Black’s showed up for Oskar’s play because they felt bad that they couldn’t help him with find out about the key and that they didn’t know his dad. I think they did it just out of the kindness of their heart. I think Mr. Black turned off his hearing aids because he didn’t want to hear the disasters of everyday life, he didn’t want to listen to other people having fun while he was stuck in his apartment. I think he starts crying because he actually is hearing a voice that is talking to him and not to another person from a different place.
Oskars emotions and attitude towards his mom are a bit harsh. He snaps and says things he doesn’t mean. I feel that it was to show how he is bottling everything up. He is upset he had to come home on "the day" and hear the messages alone. Oskar sees his mom being happy and feels like he has to be the one to stay sad and keep the memory of his father alive. He doesn't understand how his mom can be okay while his life seems to be falling apart. I also think it foreshadows that Oskar will have to come clean about the messages, the bruises, and the key. He won’t be able to keep everything to himself for much longer.
I believe all of the Blacks showed up because Oskar touched each of them in a different way. I think if I was on one of old Mr. Blacks cards, the word next to my name would be young, because I feel like I still have so much more to do and see, and so much more to make of myself still. I think Oskar can be somewhat dramatic, but I think losing his father was really hard on him and made him a lot more of an emotional kid. The chapter is called Heavier Boots because he went through a variety of moods in a very short period of time, and I think it exhausted him.
I do not think Oskar is overly dramatic with his mood changes. He’s just a kid, and he doesn’t understand how to overcome his father’s death. He thinks his mother has forgotten his dad and replaced him with Ron. Although to a point, I do think Oskar wants attention and for people to feel bad for him. He feels like it is his duty to find out what the key unlocks, but with every Black he meets, he grows more and more disappointed. Oskar doesn’t talk about his feelings with anyone, his way of trying to relieve himself is by inventing. Although inventing stresses him out more because he keeps thinking up ways his father died. I do not think it was right for him to treat his mother the way he did at the end of the chapter. When Oskar says, “If I could have chosen, I would have chosen you!” I thought it was extremely unnecessary and hurtful. Even he was ashamed of himself when he said it.
I believe Oskar fantasized a violent ending to Hamlet because it was his way of dealing with some anger. He was angry at Jimmy Snyder. He was angry at his Grandmother. He was angry that he hadn't found the lock. He was angry that he lost his dad. Oskar has a lot to be angry about but he is not a violent person. Plus violence has it's consequences, where private thoughts do not. He fantasized about being violent because he would have liked to release his anger in that physically violent way.
The Blacks showed up because they were intrigued by Oskar. A kid so young and yet so driven is something to wonder about. It leaves a yearning for more of him. Not to mention it is hard to say no to a kid and a play is something that isn't going to break their bank. As for old Mr. Black, I believe he turned off his hearing aids to escape from the world. With his wife gone, he contained himself in his room and turned his hearing off so that he would have almost no interaction with the world. The turning on of the hearing aids probably took him back to the days of hearing his wife talk and thus caused an emotional moment.
I find it like super amazingly awesome that all of the Black's found time to actually come to the play that Oskar was in. Especially seeing that they met him when he randomly showed up on their doorstep. During the play, I believe that Oskar was hoping that it would have a more violent ending because of all the anger that he had bottled up inside of him. After awhile he had to release it and the anger happened to land on his mom. He hurt her and he knows it but at the same time he doesn't care because he has been hurting all this time and he wants everyone around him to his anguish.
I think that Oskar was depressed because Ada did not know anything about the key and where it came from; she also had so much wealth when others had nothing.
All of the Blacks show up for Oskar’s play because they want to show their support for Oskar. Oskar already knows he is on a journey to find something; however, he believes that at the end of his journey he will find a lock which will bring him closer to his father. The Blacks know the true mission of Oskar’s journey is to restore the happiness he lost after his father’s death. The reason all of the Blacks come to Oskar’s play is to encourage him to continue his exploration and rediscover true happiness.
Sometime after Mr. Black’s wife passes away, he turns off his hearing aids. He is upset over his wife’s death and believes since his wife is not able to hear, he should not be able to either. Similarly, he thinks since his wife is not able to explore the world any longer, neither should he. Mr. Black concludes there is no need for him to hear sounds or to leave his house. One day Oskar comes along and, without knowing, leads Mr. Black back to happiness. Oskar helps Mr. Black turn on his hearing aids and encourages him into leaving his house. When Mr. Black hears his own voice for the first time in years, he breaks out in tears, and his overwhelming feeling of grief releases. He realizes his wife wants him to continue to living his life, even though it is without her. Hearing his own voice gives Mr. Black an exciting, new perception of the world.
The chapter is called heavier boots because the chapter is all about the different disappointments and challenges Oskar is facing. By trying to contact all the Blacks about the key, Oskar is bound to face disappointment because only one of the Blacks are going to know the answer to his key. Because of his curiosity for the key and the journey to find the answer, he has heavier boots every time he doesn't reveal a clue about the key.
All of the Blacks show up to Oskar's play because they are interested in him. It surprised them that such a young boy could accomplish what he has. The motivation and drive that he has to find what the key belongs to seems very intriguing to them. They could also want to show him support because of all that Oskar has been through. Oskar goes through a large array of moods in such a little time. He can go from happy to sad to angry to excited. This is just part of growing up, emotional changes are natural, even if they are in a short time span. He also has a good reason to change so often- all that he has been through with his family. He is a young boy with no father, so it is clear that he could change moods quite easily.
All of theBlacks showed up to Oskar's play because not only did he intrigue them, they also had pity on him. It is not every day a young boy shows up to your door asking if you know anything about a key. He impresses them by being much more mature than his age. Oskar imagines such a violent ending because of everything that he has bottled up inside of him. His emotional state changes every day and he can't control it. Mr. Black is an odd character. In real life, I'm not sure how many people completely seclude themselves from the world after they are widowed. Mr. Black cries and turns his hearing aid back on because Oskar was able to bring him back in the world which is something no one has ever done since Mr. Black's wife die.If Mr. Black wrote a card about me it would say something like "respectful" or "nice"because I have always respected my elders.
Mr. Black keeps hundreds of cards with peoples names on them with a brief one word description of that person, and most of the peoples descriptions are either money or war. If Mr. Black were to write a card with my name on it, it would not be money or war because I have not acquired either, but instead it would say sports. It would be sports because that's most of my life, I play the sport soccer, and I enjoy playing others as well as watching them daily, without sports I don't know what I would do.
I think Mr. Black turned off his hearing aids after his wife's death, and since he couldn't hear her voice anymore what was the point of hearing anything? Once he turned back on his hearing aids, I think he cried because he didn't have that sense for so long and had forgotten what it was like to hear things.
Oskar displays very violent mood swings toward the end of this chapter. I believe this is because he feels like he is the only one dealing with his fathers death. In Oskar's eyes, his mother had long since been over Thomas's death, and he had to hold everything he felt inside. Since he is so young, he does not have the coping skills needed to deal with such a traumatic loss. I do not think Oskar is dramatic, i just think that his anger is so held up inside of him that it causes him to explode the very second someone upsets him. He has had nothing but disappointments on his journey to find Mr. or Mrs. Black, and he feels like he is failing his father by not finishing his last game.
I think Mr. Black turned off his hearing aid soon after the passing of his wife. Perhaps because if he can never again hear her voice then why hear at all? Or he wanted to close himself off from the rest of the world. Why live while his wife is no longer able to? I think after so many years of not hearing and all that time he's had to heal and begin to remember the good things about his wife and start accept life again he's accepted sound. The first time he's been able to hear after 25 years makes him feel like he's hearing again for the first time. He's forgotten the sound of birds flapping their wings, of insignificant household gadgets humming, and of the sound of his voice vibrating through the air. Everything is beautiful to him and new. He cries out of happiness and maybe even sadness at the same time for having let himself forget the beauty of hearing.
I think that all the Blacks showed up for Oskar's play because they felt bad for him and they wanted to do something nice. Old Mr. Black probably had his hearing aids off because there was no need to have them on. From what I understand not many people visit him and he lives alone. I feel like Oskar's reaction toward his mother is mostly out of anger and frustration, but I also feel like there is a bit of truth behind what he said. I mean sure he loves his mother, but I think that his feelings for her are not as strong as the ones for his father. This chapter is called Heavier Boots because there are so many emotions in this chapter and the one that stands out to me is his anger, which could cause him to get heavy boots.
I think the reason why all the Blacks showed up to Oskar's Hamlet performance was because they felt sympathy for towards him. This child showed up at each of their houses in search for a lock that not one of them could fit. In search for the lock to fit his key, however, Oskar got to know each Black on a more personal level, and they got to know him more as well which is why them may have felt sympathy for him and wanted to support him at his play.
I think that Oskar fantasizes about such a violent ending because this is when his true feelings start to show though. He's angry at his mother for moving on in life, he's angry at Ron because Oskar thinks that he's trying to replace his dad, he's angry at his father for dying, and finally he's angry at his grandmother for embarrassing him at his play.
I think all the blacks are compelled to come to Oscars play because he is so endearing and innocent. They really find a connection with Oscar and want to help Oscar. They sort of see a younger version of themselves on a search to do something they wish they would have done themselves. They enjoyed visiting with Oscar and all of his unusual habits.
If I was on one of Mr. Blacks card's beside my name I think the word creative would be there. Why? Because I have a love Music, Singing, Dancing, Writing, Panting, Drawing. I'm very a very artistic person.
How I feel about Oskar's interaction with his mom at the end of this chapter is shock, hurt, and sadness. I feel this way because of how Oskar was talking to his mom and that Oskar himself was upset. With Oskar making her cry was very upsetting to me because he doesn't exactly know what to do with his feelings for the loss of his dad and is taking all that out on his mom. It is just upsetting to me about that. Oskar had gone through a variety of moods in short period of time, and I believe these were actual moods. I don't think he was just being dramatic.
If I was on one of old Mr. Black's cards, the word along with my name would be Music. It would be this word because I play the violin in Chamber Orchestra , I'm in Colorguard in the Marching Band, and I work backstage for various shows like musicals and concerts. Each of these activities deal with music in some sort of way, like listening to the music to open the curtain at a certain time, or twirling a flag to the beat of a song, or playing a song on my instrument. I love listening to music as well. Music is just an important part of my life.
I think Oskar fantasizes such a violent ending to Hamlet because of all the anger and sadness he is holding in. He just lost his father and his mother has a new very close friend. Not only that but his classmates were talking about his grandmother and he did nothing but laugh along with them. I think all of the Blacks were compelled to show up for Oskar's play because of pity, not only that but because he got to know each one personally. During each meeting Oskar showed up looking for answers and when he found none they comforted him and they got to know each other.
Oskar ends his day with Ada Black depressed. I think he feels this way because he has no "connection" to her. He is just a person he met along his journey. If I wad one one of Mr. Black's cards it would read "KAITLYN SCHROEDER: ORGANIZED". Everything in my life is planned and/or organized in one way or another. I think Mr. Black turned off his hearing aids to view the world a different way. He told Oskar several times that there are many horrible people in the world. I think he was crying because he wasn't feeling lonely anymore now that he had met Oskar. We get the memory message from his dad because like Mr. Black being alone for so long, so was his dad at the time. I think they are actual moods, Solar doesn't talk to anyone about his father, family, or the accident. I am sure he has a lot of anger building up inside of him.
While reading, I wasn't sure why all the Blacks came to the play; maybe to show their support or make Oskar believe he was making a difference. As I continued, I learned that his mother most likely asked them to come. I think Oskar was so depressed about Ada because she was another Black that couldn't help him. I think old Mr. Black turned off his hearing aids because he lived and did not go anywhere- he had no need to hear. I believe he started crying because he had forgotten the magic of being able to listen and hear the world around him.
I believe the Blacks were compelled to make an appearance at Oskar's performance because they were intrigued by him. He was so innocent and thirsty for more knowledge. In the mix of searching for lost answers, Oskar and the Blacks got to know one another, and after hearing Oskar's story, they felt pity for him, the fact that his father had passed away and he was in so much pain over it still. I think this also a reason that they bothered to attend his performance.
I think that old Mr. Black turned off his hearing aids because after the love of his life died, he had nothing left to hear. He could no longer listen to her voice, so he felt he had nothing left to hear.
I think all the Blacks came to Oskar's play because they felt sorry for him. Oskar has come to all their houses, sharing his story about his dad, and has told them about his play and they felt compelled to attend. When Oskar goes to visit Mr. Black, he finds an old knowledgeable man, who has been to 112 countries who is now a shut in and hasn't left his apartment in twenty-four years. I believe Mr. Black turned his hearing aid off because he's heard everything and been everywhere, that he's decided to sacrifice his hearing after his wife died and stay in his apartment.
I feel that all of the people with the last name “Black” attended Oskar’s play because, even in the very short time that he spent with each of them, Oskar gained important insights about their lives and made a deeper connection with these people. Also, many of these people (it seems like almost all of them) had complex problems of their own, so Oskar’s appearance may have given them a new sense of companionship.
Oskar has a tendency to change his moods in what seems like an instant, but all of his emotions come across as genuine. Oskar does not behave the way he does in order to gain attention or sympathy. The death of Oskar’s father has left the boy in a state of insecurity and internal confusion.
Mr. Black turned off his hearing aids as a reaction to the death of his wife, kind of like how Oskar's grandfather lost the ability to speak after Anna died. He cried when he turned them on because he had not heard a single sound since his wife died, and sound overwhelmed him. The reason Oskar fantasizes such a violent end to Hamlet is because he is stressed and mad at everything that's happening, and fantasizes about a way to vent all of his frustration.
Oscar fantasizes such a violent ending to Hamlet because he is frustrated with being antagonized by Jimmy Snyder. If allowed to act out his fantasy, this is what he would do to Jimmy in retaliation; however, he knows he could never do that.
Oscar is not being dramatic; he is an emotional basket-case. He is distraught over his father’s sudden death, angry that his mother is moving on with Ron, anxious about his grandmother’s safety, annoyed by the treatment he receives from his classmates and content with his new friendship to Mr. Black. This poor kid has gone through a great deal in his short life.
I think the Blacks were compelled to see Oskar's play because they were intrigued with the boy. They might have been curious to see what he was like after he showed up at their door unexpectedly. Oskar fantasizes his own violent ending because he must be tired of being picked on by his classmates. If he had actually done that I'm sure he wouldn't get picked on any longer, but he may also end up being institutionalized. If I was on one of MR.Blacks cards, I feel the one word to summarize me would be industrious. Not only is it what my name actually means, but I feel that it is a strong trait to have. I feel like the word when used to describe a person means they keep trying even when things are hard without thinking twice about it.
I think the Blacks saw Oskar's play because Oskar peaked their interests by being driven so powerfully towards one goal. They also could have wanted to look more into his life and what his personality is like. Oskar fantasizes a violent ending to the play because he sees violence as the way to stop kids from bullying him. I think Oskar's different moods are just him being dramatic to get some attention. The chapter is called "Heavier Boots" because Oskar feels worse and worse as the chapter goes on and his feelings are related to the key. Since he can't find a clue to the key, each passing Black is just another disappointment.
On all of Mr. Black's cards, there is a single word that is supposed to describe the person on the card. Most descriptions were "money" or "war". If I was on one of Mr. Black's cards I would be described as music because ever since a young age my life has revolved around music in some way or another. I would not be money because I have never had a job. I would most certainly not be described as war because I have never taken apart of anything like that.
I think Mr. Black turned his hearing aid off because, after the death of his wife he didn't want to hear a single sound again knowing the most beautiful thing in his life was gone forever. This was Mr. Black's way of coping with the lose of his wife. When Oskar turned his hearing aid back on, he cried because he realized how much he missed the sounds of everyday life.
Mr.Blacks cards, each on contains a single word that describes the name written on them. Most are described as "war" or "money". I do not want to know what mine would say, nor could I be the one to set that single word. It's not for me to decide. Mr.Black turned off his hear aid after the death of his beloved wife. As the greatest thing in his life was gone, he could not bare anymore sound know that she was gone. When it was finally turned back on he cried.
The Blacks went to see Oskar mostly because they felt bad for him. He was an innocent child in a tough situation, and on top of it all, he is a good-hearted and ambitious youth. Also, going to a simple play is a nice, inexpensive gesture.
Mr. Black used his hearing aid as a strange method of coping with his wife's death. She meant the world to him, and by turning off his aid he locked himself in his own head. He developed a connection between clear sound and his memories of his wife. Reminds me of Pavlov's dog.
I think that all of the blacks were compelled to come and see Oskar in his play because whether he knew it or not, he made an impact on their lives. He was able to meet them and make them think about something significant. I think that they all came because with only meeting one time, they felt incredibly close to a young boy who was eager to learn and had such an ambition to accomplish his goals.
Mr. Black had often used the "war" and "money". His wife was neither of those so he just gave up similarly to Oskars grandfather. He gave up and turned off his hearing aids.
The one word that could possibly used to describe me would be "inquisitive". it would be inquisitive because i like to question things, I am always curious to see how thing things work and were created. It couldn't be "war" because i'm not fond of wars. It couldn't be "money" because i don't have much of it, so it has to be inquisitive.
I think that the Blacks showed up to Oskar's play because they felt sorry for him. Not only do they know that Oskar lost his dad but that when he did, he was left with a mystery that only his dad knew the answer to. Because Oskar asked them for help on his search and they had none to offer, they felt that they needed to help him in any other way that they could. I think Oskar's ending to Hamlet shows just how much anger has built up inside of him since his dad's death, and how great his need is to find something that will stop that anger.
Several of the characters in this book have serious mental/emotional issues. For example, Mr. Black lost his wife and he turned off his hearing aid because somehow it would help him cope. Oskar is performing in Hamlet and fantasizes about bashing a skull into Jimmy's head. The Grandfather wont talk because his first love was killed in a bombing. These are not normal things that would happen to normal people. The reason that all of the Blacks showed up to Oskars play was because it was out of pity. He recently just lost his father and he came upon their doors asking for help, when they could not help him they felt sorry. They wanted to help him get over the death however there was nothing they could really do. This chapter contains several emotions from Oskar and these emotions make it hard for him, this is why the chapter was given that title. The Cyclone is still fully operational and ridable today, it was not damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
I feel that all of the Blacks attended Oskar's play of Hamlet because after he visited all of them he had a unique connection with each of them. This connection that Oskar developed with each Black gave them a deeper reason to show Oskar compassion and understanding for the loss of his father. The Blacks were also interested in Oskar and his profound knowledge, even though he is just a young boy. Oskar fantasizes a violent ending to Hamlet because he has so much anger and resentment toward his father's death. Oskar has no other way to cope with how he feels and often takes out his pain on other people as well.
On the list that Oskar keeps he names common things such as the drive-in or a hula hoop. I think that this shows how much he has hidden himself from the rest of the world after his father's death. Oskar also fears public places, which could keep him from learning about things such as those on his list.
In my opinion, the reason that Mr. Black turned off his hearing aid was because he had no reason to keep it on… the only reason in the beginning that he even had it was so he could hear her voice and be able to communicate with her, but now that she is gone, what is the point? She was his everything, the only person he loved talking to, and when she got taken away what was he left with? Heartbreak, nothingness, his world was shattered. When he thought it would be ok to turn them on all he could do was cry. I think this may be because he was trying his best to move on with his life, he was nervous about this because he didn’t want to forget about his wife, he wanted to keep her memory as long as possible and when he heard the birds it was something other than his wife’s voice and he was scared. He was overwhelmed. He didn't know how to handle the situation at hand. He was finally starting to come to the realization that hearing aid or not, he will never be able to hear the sound of his wife’s voice again.
Mr Black has lived alone in the apartment since his wife died, some 24 years before. He stays secluded and isolates himself by turning off his hearing aid. He feels that he has no use for it if he doesn't venture out into the outside world. Oskar helps him turn it back on, which in my opinion, gives them something stronger to communicate- how to cope with loss of a loved one. Oskar helps Mr Black by convincing him to join him on his search.
Oskar fantasizes about a violent ending because he is tired of doing what everyone wants him too. He iis angry and upset and if it was his choice he would have beat up the kid. He wants people to know that he is angry and hurting but he never has a right time to display how he feels.
As far as I know The cyclone still stands, however, the electrical equipment got ruined.
When Oskar goes through all of his moods I don’t think he is being dramatic I think he is being real. From all of the trauma he has had he has a right to be angry and sad. Sometimes I think he can be a little too angry but that is his way of coping. Throughout the book Oskar is never really happy; he is sad, angry, panicky, or in heavy boots. When it comes down to it, he is only angry because he doesn’t know how his dad died. Another reason for his anger is because his mother has a new friend.
I think that Mr. Black turned off his hearing aids because there was nothing else he wanted to hear after his wife died. He loved her so much that when she died he did not want to hear anything because nothing could compare to his wife's voice. I think he was crying because he final learned to let go of his wife's death and allowed himself to hear again. By allowing himself to hear again, Mr. Black is opening himself up to the world again.
Mr. Black states that his hearing aids have been off for a very long time and also mentions that he hasn't stepped foot outside of his apparentment in a long time either. This infers that he turned them off after his wife died about 24 years ago. I think that Mr. Black turned them off because he didn't want to experience the beautiful things in life without his best friend by his side and that nothing could could ever compare to the beauty in his wife's voice. Mr. Black cries after letting Oskar turn them back on because it suddenly hit him that he'll never be able to hear the sweet sound of her voice anymore and that he is going to have to move on without her. In a way, I think Oskar gave him the extra push he needed to go on with living a normal life.
After letting down Oskar the Blacks felt compelled to show up to Oskar’s play. They felt bad that his father died and that they couldn’t help Oskar on his journey to solve the mystery behind the key. The Blacks may have thought that Oskar doesn’t have a solid family life that loves and supports him since all he talks about is his deceased father.
Mr. Black turned off his hearing aids after his wife died, he felt as if nothing was worth hearing if she wasn't there to hear it with him. On the other hand, he might have turned them off because he was sick of hearing about war. Since he was a war correspondent and seemed to view every situation as some sort of war, he may have turned off his hearing aids to escape all the war around him. When Oskar turns on his hearing aids, Mr. Black starts crying because it has been so long since he heard anything and it's like hearing everything for the first time again and he forgot how much he was actually missing.
Oskar fantasizes such a violent ending to Hamlet, because he has a lot of anger and frustration he pushes away in his mental representation of the ending. When he smashes Jimmy's head he says that nothing makes sense anymore, and that the skull he is smashing is also the skulls of many of his loved ones ans friends who angered or hurt him in some way. It isn't good that Oskar is keeping all of this built up inside him. He didn't seem like a very angry kid until this fantasy.
I think Oskar was depressed after leaving Ada Black's for two reasons. One: He didn't find any more clues on his key, and the search began felt hopeless. Two: Ada Black wasn't Oskar's favorite person in respect that she was very rich and maybe couldn't relate to many people's everyday problems.
The rocks are significant to Mr. Black because he says a rock is not just a rock. But he also says a bullet is just a bullet. The dates could symbolize memories of good times for Mr. Black on his travels, whereas the bullets could represent bad times, so he does not date them.
I believe Mr. Black turned off his hearing aids because the loss of his wife. It has been about 24 years without her and I feel like he thinks there is no need for hearing anymore. She was his best friend and I think that was a way to cope with the tragedy and isolate himself from the world. I believe he started crying when Oskar turned his hearing aids back on because of a few things. First of all, if you did not have hearing for 24 years everything would be very loud at first and it would feel chaotic. Also, I think he was coming back to reality and realizing that there was more to life without his wife. I think it was a very strong moment in the novel because it bonded Oskar and Mr. Black together.
Mr. Black turned his hearing aids off when his wife died because he felt that nothing was as important as her and without her he didn't feel the need to communicate with anyone. He also doesn't leave the apartment, which is another way he shows how he has isolated himself from the world. He and Oskar share the feeling of losing a very important person and the feelings of loneliness that follow. They have that connection which is why they get along so well. This is called heavier boots because Oskar becomes even more sad when he realizes how hard it is to track down his dad and how many times he has thought he's been on the right path but nothing has come of it.
The Blacks came to Hamlet because Oskar had asked them too, and must have left a lasting impression on them from his visits. Mr. Black turned his hearing aids of while mourning the loss of his wife. He is crying because he is hearing things for the first time in 24 years.
I believe all those people he visited showed up to his play out of a source of compassion that is within everyone.This young boy touched them with such innocence after losing his father yhat I believe they all felt the need to be there for him because just one person there would make him feel better. As for the violent ending Oskar imagined, I believe he has pent up all his feelings:rage, frustration, and depression. After losing his father he hasn't seemed to really have a time to let all these emotions burst forth and when he does with his mother he instantly regrets it only adding more to his pent up emotions.
This chapter I found very sad yet very interesting. The play was the most interesting. I found it sweet how all the Blacks showed up at the play.I think they all came out of sympathy, but also because Oskar touched their hearts in some way.Then the play went creepy and interesting. He started to do some very violent acts towards JImmy. I think this was because of all his pent up frustration and emotions. I was glad to find out that was all just his imagination.
I think all of the Black's showed up for Oskar's play because they cared for him. They knew he was coming, yet when he showed up he never made it just about himself. Oskar was interested in their lives as well, and helped them cope through problems of their own. I think when Oskar visited them, there was a connection between every Black, that Oskar vistited, and Oskar. That being said, the Blacks' all showed up because they wanted to be there to support Oskar, and felt he deserved it.
The visit with Ada Black left Oskar depressed because he realized how materialistic the world had become. The first thing Oskar notices when he walks into Ms. Blacks apartment is the two Picasso paintings hanging on the wall. Oskar is constantly distracted by the painting and refers to them several times. The painting and Oskar's obsession with them is a symbol of the materialistic lifestyle of Ada Black. I addition, Ada Black talks about how she is the 467th richest person in the world and Oskar asks if she cares that there are homeless people living on the street. All she is says is that she gives to charity. She shy's away from questions that Oskar asks relating to her wealth and possessions and this is what makes Oskar depressed. Oskar is depressed that there are people in the world that don't have a conscience and allow their obsessions toward material things take over their idealistic mind which Ada Black said she once had.
I think all of the Blacks show up to the performance out of curiosity. Oskar is such an intriguing character and most everyone he met liked him enough to invite them into their home and talk with him. I think Oskar has a lot of pent up frustration at everyone in his life and he is tired of putting on a show for everyone around him. So when he was putting on an actual show he wanted to show his true feelings, not the ones written for him. Oskar is still clearly in a grieving stage. His conversation with his mom made me sad, i made me laugh, and then made me sad again. I thought it was good for Oskar to finally let some of his feelings out but he's too young to realize that his mom also feels pain but she just expresses it in a different way. Im very conflicted about the ending of this chapter.
I think all of the Blacks showed up to Oskar's play because Oskar grabbed their attention and left a special spot in the Black's heart. Oskar's interaction with his mom changed my view on Oskar a little bit. I didn't see that harsh side of him coming, but I completely understand how much anger he has built up in him. I feel that it was needed for him to let it out; although, his mom did not need to hear that.
I think the Blacks went to Oskar's play mainly out of pity. Oskar came to their house and shared the story of his father, and after hearing a story like that, I personally wouldn't be able to say no to him.
I think Oskar fantasized such a violent ending to Hamlet because of the the violent end to his father's life. Oskar also has a lot of violent feelings about his life, especially anger. He made his anger very obvious when he smashed the skull and had it represent everyone who has ever hurt him in his life time.
I think what was so depressing about Oskar's visit with Ada Black was that there was no connection to the key.Because there was no connection, Oskar became discouraged about his search.
Mr. Black stated the fact of life where if you have money than its equal happiness.
The black people goes to the hamlet play because the "man" said so.
War is the worst war to solve a conflict, why can't anyone sit down at a table to talk about their problems and differences.
Black people shows up for both pity and special locations for the black people.
This book in my opinion is an excellent book and I felt a sense of connection with it. As I read this book I enjoy every since words.
Oskar fantasizes such a violent ending to "Hamlet" because he has no other way to express his emotions. He is so angry at Jimmy that he wishes he could smash his head in, but knows that he can't do that.
I think Mr. Black has his hearing aid turned off to shut our the world. He also does this by not leaving his apartment. I think he has the same problem that Oskar's grandpa had: everything reminds him of the loved one he lost.
Oskar's interaction with his mom irritated me. He knows you can lose anyone at anytime so he should know better than to say something that hurtful. You know he is mature enough to know not to say this because he feels ashamed of himself afterwords.
I think that Mr. Black turned off his hearing aids after his wife passed away because he was so upset by it. Maybe because he couldn't hear his wife's voice anymore that made him not want to hear at all. What bothered me was he said that he ordered his food, clothing, and everything else he needed by phone but how did he talk on the phone when he couldn't hear. He also said he didn't have a computer so he couldn't order it that way. I think he started crying because he missed all the different noises there are and didn't realize what a great thing it is to hear until it was turned back on.
I was not happy with what Oskar said to his mom at the end of the chapter. She is trying the best she can with the terrible tragedy that happened to their family and he is making her life difficult. What he said to her was so hurtful. I don't think she did anything to deserve him to say that.
The reason that Oskar fantasized about such a violent interation between him and James is simple: everyone has done it at least once, and he simply doesn't like him. First off, it is pretty clear that James is a terrible bully (a claim that becomes very well supported in later chapters), calling Oskar "weird" and a "nerd". So we can safely assume tat Oskar and James are no fans of each other. Second, everyone- and I mean everyone- has experienced enough anger and rage about an individual to fantasize about such horrible violence being committed against them. It's simply human nature, as a violence is an evolutionary mechanism towards the preservation of the species.
If I was on one of Mr. black's cards, I would write one thing, something that I think is very meaningful: the word "nothing". The reason I would write this is simple, yet complex: I am nothing- at least for now. When you are young, without skills or purpose, you are nothing. To some this might seem like an insult, but when you are nothing, you are open to an entire world of possibilities about what kind of something you have the possibility of becoming. In a way, I think this is more exciting than being something, because you can now make for yourself what you can be, and what that might be could be greater and more fantastic than anything you might imagine could be described in one word.
All of the Blacks showed up to Oskar's plays I think because they felt connected to him after they met him. I think Mr. Black turned off his hearing aids after his wives death because he was so upset by it. He wanted to block out the rest of the world. I think he was crying because he finally heard the world and what was around him. Oskar is a very dramatic person but i think those were actually his moods. He feels a lot of crazy stuff.
I think Oskar touched the hearts of all the Blacks that he met and they showed up at his play to support him. Someone suggested that maybe the Blacks felt bad for him so they decided to go, and I agree that that could be a possible answer as well.
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