I like Oskar's father's philosophy of existence...very
simple, very true...or is it?
On his quest to find the Black on the envelope, Oskar lists the things he packs. What things stand out to you? Why do they stand out?
Oskar writes letters to famous scientists quite frequently, it seems. Have you ever written to someone famous? Did you get a reply?
What do you think Oskar's grandmother has nightmares about? How do you know this?
Why is Mr. Black crying?
Besides what is documented here in this chapter, what else do you think could be on the list of things only humans do?
On his quest to find the Black on the envelope, Oskar lists the things he packs. What things stand out to you? Why do they stand out?
Oskar writes letters to famous scientists quite frequently, it seems. Have you ever written to someone famous? Did you get a reply?
What do you think Oskar's grandmother has nightmares about? How do you know this?
Why is Mr. Black crying?
Besides what is documented here in this chapter, what else do you think could be on the list of things only humans do?
31 comments:
Surprisingly, it is a little hard to find things only humans can do. Both humans and animals show empathy, have technology, and express the ability to communicate (although human language is much more complex and requires certain organs in order to speak). Anyway, I did realize humans are unique in the fact that they believe in a higher power. Humans developed the concept of religion; therefore, they are the only beings who believe in a god. Additionally, humans may be the only beings to express romantic love or fall in love. Animals can feel love because they can have an attachment to a human or other animals, and it has been proven that the brains of animals produce oxytocin or “the love hormone.” However, this does not mean an animal can feel romantic love or fall in love. So, as far as we know, only humans can experience this feeling.
Oskar packs a flashlight if he needs light, plastic bags for evidence, his cell phone if he needs help, his white gloves, iodine pills in case of a bombing, a magnifying glass to see things, a dictionary if he doesn't understand something, and also a map in case if he gets lost. All of these things seem logical for anyone to bring if they are looking for clues. One thing that stands out to me the most rare the iodine pills, many people wouldn't even think to bring those because they have never actually needed them. Due to what happened to his father Oskar is more aware of bombings and packs accordingly. On the other side Oskar packs some fig newtons as snacks because obviously your going to need snacks, some boxes of juicy juice to drink, and his Hamlet script to memories his lines. By packing these certain things it shows that Oskar is still a little boy playing detective trying to solve the mystery key his father left him.
There were a few things that stood out to me of the things that Oskar packed on his quest to find the right Black on the envelope. One of the things that stood out was the iodine pills. He said it was in case of a dirty bomb. It doesn't seem as though bombs get dropped where he is all of the time, other than the twin tower terror attack that was planes not bombs. It seems particular to have these pills with him on this quest. They also must have significance to him, like many things do, in order for him to keep these with him on this whole trip to find the right Black. Another thing that stood out were the plastic bags he was taking in order to keep litter and evidence he collected. I don't know exactly how he plans on getting evidence but he must see somehow someway that he can collect things that will be able to help him on his quest. These, and the rest of the, items have importance to him. Now that his dad has passed, Oskar is extremely careful of what he packs and does. These Two items stood out to me as begin cautious and prepared.
One of the things that stood out to me in regards to the "necessities" Oskar brought with him during his search was chopstick. In my opinion, that was so smart to bring that along. I cannot stand the feeling of having chapped lips and not having any lip balm!!! Good thinking, Oskar. The second thing that stood out to me is his choice of a snack- Fig Newtons. Yuck. You'd think a guy like Oskar would be smart enough to bring something more decent than that, right? Nope. I mean come on! I was so disappointed in this character I was growing to love.
When thinking of reasons his grandmother could be having nightmares, a few ideas popped into my mind. Oskar's father's sudden death, losing Oskar, her husband leaving her. When thinking about it, she has had lots of heartbreak in her lifetime. I thought it was so cute reading about her & Oskar's close, tight-knit relationship and how deeply they care for each other. I love how they have the walkie talkie things set up so they can easily communicate an check up on each other!
I loved reading the dialogue between Abby and Oskar, especially when they talk about things humans do that "animals" don't. I found it funny because humans are animals and we all tend to try and separate ourselves from animals but when it comes down to it, we are animals and there's nothing we can do about it. I remember writing a thank you letter to Jerry Lewis because I have Muscular Dystrophy and he was one of the biggest contributors to the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association.) I told him I appreciated his dedication to finding a cure for me and kids like me but I never got a response. I think the difference between Oskar and me is that I wrote my letter for no reward, but just to say thanks. Oskar, however, wrote his letters hoping to gain something like an internship or a t-shirt.
After reading about the close knit relationship that Oskar has with his grandma, it is clear to see how much he really means to her. So to me, I think she has nightmares about losing Oskar. She already lost her son who meant so much to her, I think the thought of potentially losing Oskar as well is just too heartbreaking for her to think of. I do have to agree that it would be a terrible thing to think about and I do find that things you don't want to think about, can end up in your dreams/nightmares and wake you up. The nightmares could also be about Oskar's dad too simply because of the nature of his death but, I think they tend to be more about Oskar due to the fact that he means so, so much to her.
Oskar packed a variety of things, ranging from food, to survival tools, yet one of these tools stood out, iodine pills. Iodine pills are used mainly after a nuclear, or dirty bomb is detonated. Iodine pills can be used to purify water after a nuclear attack, and to protect your thyroid from thyroid cancer caused by nuclear fallout. The fact Oskar brought iodine pills shows that Oskar is still suffering emotional distress from the attacks on the Twin Towers. Also, they're aren't many things that humans do that are impossible for animals to do. Animals and Humans wage war, love each other, create families and die, but animals can't evolve in the same manner humans do. Animals still live by the same rules from thousands of years ago such as the rule that the strongest animal is the leader. Humans can socially evolve, unlike animals. Unlike animals, humans have experienced Jurassic social evolutions throughout the time of their existence. One great example is the Women's Rights Movement, which happened because a band of people agreed that something is socially wrong, so they brought forth an evolution to change something that was holding them back. Another thing humans do that animals can't believe in a higher power. It is natural for humans to create a solution for an unknown answer. Religion was created by humans to provide answers to the unknown, such as how our existence came to be. Same with science, science came around to provide answers to the unknown, yet they're some answers that we'll never know the true answer to due to the lack of evidence.
The 2 things that stood out to me the most about what Oskar brought with him were the iodine pills and the plastic bags for litter. These items show the intelligence of Oskar, and also give a little insight into Oskar's mind and what he thinks is important. Oskar brought the pills in case of a dirty bomb, which shows that he is a bit paranoid after the 9/11 attacks. As for the plastic bags, I just think that it truly shows his character, that even though he is doing something that he believes to be incredibly important, he wants to help clean up litter.
As for Oskar's grandmother's nightmares, she has lots of perfectly good reasons to have nightmares, from her sons untimely death to a husband who left, she has had her share of heartbreak. I love how Oskar was so concerned about her that he noticed when she had nightmares through the walkie-talkies. That point showed what a great bond they have, and how much Oskar cares for his grandma.
Oskar’s father’s philosophy on life is incredibly optimistic. When Oskar is worrying he doesn’t matter in the universe, his dad asks him what would happen if he moved a grain of sand in the Sahara Desert. Most of us would think that a grain of sand doesn’t matter, there’s no way it could matter. However, Oskar’s father says that when moving the grain of sand, Oskar is disrupting history. Oskar, through this seemingly insignificant act, is able to change the course of humanity. He changes an immense desert that has been around for ages by simply moving a grain of sand. I love the thought that even the smallest things you do can make an immense impact on the world.
A few things pop in my mind when I think of what Oskar's grandmother has nightmares about. First, I think she dreams about how she lost Oskar's grandfather. She's always talking about him and how much she misses him. Second, I think she may be dreaming about losing Oskar. At one point she tells him that she hopes he never loves anything as much as she loves him. Third, she could be dreaming about how she lost Thomas, Oskar's dad. But, overall, I think her biggest nightmare is losing the things that matter the most to her.
Oskar's dad had a philosophy that really warmed my heart. I found it to be really inspiring, even if it seems a bit far-fetched. It seems like everyone wants to change the world, and they try and try and try to make this huge impact on everyone they meet but it doesn't always work out the way they want it to and then they become disappointed. However, if they were to have a view more like Oskar's dad, they would realize that their presence alone IS changing the world, because if they weren't there, or if they weren't doing what they were doing, the world wouldn't be the same. It was a really heart-warming idea to me, because purpose can be really hard to find, and this gave me a little sense of purpose. As some cheesy Pinterest quote once said, "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." I think that Oskar's dad had a philosophy revolving around that quote, because impacts can be big and they can be small, but regardless of the size, they're still changing the world. His philosophy both excited me and Oskar, as his reaction showed in the novel, and I really do hope that he keeps that in mind as he's going through his list of Blacks.
So far, I found Mr.Black's meeting to be the saddest and most interesting chapter of Oskar's search. In some ways Mr.Black reminds me of Oskar's grandmother. Mr.Black could have heard if he turned on his hearing aids, just as his grandma chose to tell her husband she couldn't see. Maybe it was simply that she didn't want to see and Mr.Black didn't want to hear. I also like the array of marriages the book shows. Oskar's grandparents was one built on mutual need while the Blacks was one built on love. However, Oskar's grandmother doesn't seem to have many regrets about her marriage, no matter how strange it was. On the contrary, Mr.Black regrets the way he left his wife for so many years and now she is gone. How will Oskar translate all of this into his own life and his judgement of his mother's relationship with his father?
I think that Oskar's father's theory about existence is a pretty good representation, but maybe a little too simple. after all, if no one knows that you moved the grin of sand, then yes it effects the world, but not the other people living in it. To me it is more about the lasting legacy of a life that matters, not so much the physical things, but more of the memories you leave behind. I guess that his father's way of explaining it was probably the best way to try to teach a child about human existence, but in a way I don't think that words could ever be the right tool to express such a complex idea. Maybe the greatest mystery of life is human existence, or for that matter the existence of the entire world.
I think when Oskar's father's representation of humans is a little off. When he told oskar his theory, he wanted him to feel like he was a part of something, like the grain of sand was a part of history. Once Oskar goes out to the world, has more experience and adventures, he is going to think back to his father's theory, and realize there are so many people just like me, chasing the same thing. Now, if oskar believed in a higher power, maybe he wouldn't feel so insignificant, but since he needs to see it to believe it, he may run into some insecurity issues with his future after his time on earth is completed.n
I don't really know where I was gonna put this comment, since it's about the book in general, but here'll do. I love how this book is written- the format, with it's peculiar spacing, really brings alive a sense of apathetic detachment for me. Which is neat, cause in the event of emotional trauma on the sheer scale these folks are going through, apathy is and always will be an A1 coping mechanism. So, the format seems roughly representative of how things are going on an emotional level, which makes a good deal of sense, considering the whole first-person gig the book's got going. I also really enjoyed the pictures. It's been a long time since I've seen legit pictures in a book, and they were woven in really well, though the one about the tortoise coitus did admittedly seem rather out of place. Also, I agree with Oskar, the flat-earth-giant-stack-o-turtles story cracked me up.
So in response to what Cathryn said at the top of this page, I went about my business formulating a reasonably objection, primarily based on the fact that most of her examples were understandably vague. So, my argument focused on specifics- do animals ride trains? Well, I suppose some pets do, but they certainly don't drive or build them. This is a totally ridiculous train of thought (*buh duhn diss) but I started googling animals doing stuff that humans do, and it turns out Koko the Gorilla plays bass. Now, admittedly, not to diss on all those bass players out there, but quite literally, it's been proven an ape can do it. Don't get me wrong, Koko the Gorilla is pretty amazing+awesome, but it was nonetheless mesmerizing to start watching animals do human things, and then realize that if they ever evolved sophisticated thought equal to or greater than ours, their evolutionary physical prowess and abilities would make us nearly obsolete as any labor force other than thinkers, artists, or generalized work peasants.
I agree with Vito. Oskar's father had a theroy about the representation of humans to a gain of sand, but needs more detail. I agree it is more about the bigger lasting picture of each person and how they have lived there life, and not the little movements and actions of what you did while you were alive.
When Oskar went to visit Mr.Black, i felt like they connected very well and hit it off from when he entered his house. Oskar didn't even ask about the key until hours later. They were too busy talking about his cards and the legions he saved in his closet. Mr.Black was crying when he found out that his hearing aid was off, and when Oskar turned it back on he was so excited and happy to hear himself again. He was a changed man, and he didn't realize how much he was missing. Mr.Black and Oskar I can predict that they will become best buds and solve the key mystery together and figure out what the key fits into. I believe Oskar would not be able to do it without him.
Heyyyoooo just gonna fix my previous comment and steal a discussion starter away from some poor bloke by saying I now understand the whole turtle-sex thing cause they're stacking on top of each other, which in retrospect, was pretty obvious, so ignore my lapse of common sense. Obviously and unfortunately I can't count this as one of the comments on my quota, arguably making this more futile than welding butter together. I'm Sam Vellequette, Kanye 2020, and I approve this message.
Oskar's father's philosophy of existence sounds like it's essentially the butterfly effect. I can definitely agree with the idea that seemingly simple actions can make a much larger impact. I'm not sure if I agree with the extent Oskar's father had explained, where something as small as moving a grain of sand in the Sahara would change human history. His explanation seemed to be used to comfort Oskar in a time when he felt insignificant, hence why it was simplified to such an extent. I think his dad wanted to show Oskar that simply existing in this world can make an impact, even if you don't think so.
Oskar's Father's theory was very interesting to me. I agree with Lauren she has a pretty good idea on it. Made me think that it really is like the Butterfly Affect. Every person makes an impact. Like the example of a grain of sand how each one makes a difference. The meeting with Mr.Black was very sad to me. I found it interesting Mr.Black had hearing aids but chose to not turn them on, which shows he really didn't want to hear. Which then brings me to Oskar's Grandmother who said she was blind. They are almost similar to each other in which they both could do something but chose not to. I would also like to add that humans and animals are more alike than different. They show compassion which is the main thing. In the book they talk about things humans can do that animals can't. When in reality Humans and Animals can do the same things.
Out of all of the things that Oskar packs, four things stood out to me. The plastic bags for litter stood out to me because it shows how Oskar seems to be much more advanced than other kids his age. If I went out to go for a walk, I would not think to bring bags for litter. Iodine pills stood out to me because they are not a very typical thing to carry around with you. It shows that the 9/11 attack and the loss of Oskar's father had a huge effect on Oskar's life and way of thinking. Lastly, the white gloves and magnifying glass reminded me that even though Oskar may think and act differently than most kids, he is still young and enjoys the thrill of adventure.
Oskar's father's philosophy essentially is the Butterfly Effect, but to an extreme degree where changing even the slightest thing will cause immense change for the human race both past and future. I have written to a famous person before, he goes by the name of Matt Damon...no response. My feelings towards Mr. Black are in agreement with those of Sophie. Both Mr. Black and Grandma choose to not hear or not see, respectively.
Most of the things on Oskar's list don't stand out, except for the iodine pills. Iodine pills can help prevent radiation poisoning- Oskar is preparing for a nuclear attack ("a dirty bomb"). Clearly his father's death has affected him in more ways than one. In addition to his preparation for a nuclear attack, Oskar has also mentioned being afraid of "Arabs on the subway" and has mentioned terrorist attacks multiple times. It seems like there is an underlying paranoia driving Oskar's actions and thoughts.
Humans are the only species that try to search for a deeper meaning in things, question their place in the universe, and wonder what comes after death. We have the awareness to actually comprehend these things, but it's frustrating in that we can't find the answers.
I find it VERY strange that Oskar’s mother lets him go out and wander the streets of New York City alone for hours at a time with no communication, especially post-9/11. But that’s none of my business. The repetition of “Oskar.” “I’m OK.” really stands out to me as well. It’s written 8 times within the span of 3 pages. I’ve also observed the insane rate at which Oskar catalogues: he takes note of numbers, times, stats, lists, names, objects- he’s always noting and listing, taking everything into account. It seems like a coping mechanism to keep his mind turning during quiet times so he doesn’t have to think about how his dad’s not there to fill the silence. Some other things I would add to the list of things that only humans do are: wearing clothes, using the Internet, cutting down animal habitats to make human habitats, killing animals for sport, and planting flowers because they’re pretty.
Oskar frequently writes letters to famous scientists, which I have never done before. Although if I have, I would imagine that it would take a while to get a personal response. When Oskar goes on his quest to find the Black on the envelope, Oskar is very prepared but some things that were packed stood out to me. For example, one thing that stood out to me was the Magnum flashlight. It was smart of Oskar to pack a flashlight that would work if something went wrong along the way. Another thing that popped out at me in the list of items packed was the script for Hamlet. Even if Oskar had spare time walking from place to place, i'd think he would just want to take it easy. To me this shows his drive to keep learning new things and to never waste any time.
I think that Oskar's father's philosophy is just his own version of the butterfly effect. I think it's simple and quite true, though it might not be easy to prove. After all, you can't prove that something changed the course of mankind, because as humans we only ever experience the final outcome.
I'm sure Oskar's grandmother has a plethora of different reasons for her nightmares. Some may be about her husband, and I think some get a bit deeper than that. I'm sure her incredible loneliness manifests itself in terrifying ways and they seep into her subconscious, releasing her worst fears in her dreams. I'm sure she dreams about her husband that left, and about horrible things happening to Oskar. It just makes sense to me to think that she's not much of a selfish person, but she's worried about the ones she loves nonetheless.
Oskar's father's philosophy is seen as simple on the outside, but has a very deep meaning. His father is basically saying everyone who has ever stepped foot on Earth has changed the universe, and he isn't wrong. Without being too literal, everyone has changed the universe. Two gadgets that Oskar brought that stood out to me were the ChapStick and dictionary. Maybe Oskar's lips were dry that day and he needed a tube just in case? I don't know, maybe he expected to be out a couple days. The dictionary stood out to me because I was curious on what Oskar would need a dictionary for. Maybe, if all else failed, he would look up "black" and go from there. Also, I want to see what a pocket dictionary looks like. It must be a fat book. I loved the picture of Grandma's window across the street from Oskar's room. It gives the reader a picture in their head when reading Oskar and his grandmother's wonderful conversations. And, it was what I was picturing almost exactly.
I found Oskar's father's perspective on existence very interesting, as well as true. People can change human history individually, while not impacting many people. But in this however, is the idea that anyone and everyone has the ability to change human history, and everyone has the ability to affect those around them. When everyone has the ability to do this, we all affect each other and all make a difference for each other if we try.
I also found it interesting how things only humans do are discussed and it gets the mind thinking in a different way. I believe what could also be added is that unlike other animals, humans are able to question things and their functions and existences, while animals can not. Animals could not build their own perspective on life similar to Oskar's father, but he had the ability to.
I found myself largely agreeing with Thomas' view of existence. Though I feel people should strive to do great things, I find it reassuring that merely moving a grain of sand across one desert changes the course of human history. in our world everything in human history comes from one small thing if you think about it, for example if the car driver escorting Arch Duke Ferdinand hadn't made a wrong turn, then he wouldn't have been assassinated,and WW1 wouldn't have happened.I also feel his view can be expanded to the idea of death, even though we will one day die the things we have done to the world can't be erased. Once you move the grain of sand their it will have been put there for at least a moment, and for eternity on wards it will have been no one but you who did that.
On his quest to find the Black on the envelope, Oskar lists the things he packs. What things stand out to you? Why do they stand out?
The one thing that really stood out to me that Oskar packed was the iodine pills. I don’t believe that he’ll really need to use them but considering what happened on 9/11 I understand that Oskar wants to be prepared or any situation that may arise. I do want to know what he’ll need to use the flashlight for considering he’s leaving during daytime besides having it there for a just in case.
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