Tiger's Wife Chapter 1

In the epilogue, why isn't the narrator more affected by the tiger attack? It must have been traumatic to watch...After the attack, how is she able to still love the tigers instead of fearing them?

40 days of the soul...what religion are we talking about here? What war is being referenced?

Why is this family so secretive that they will resort to lies about health issues? Is your family like this at all?

Her grandmother clearly knows that the narrator is lying to her. Why doesn't she press harder once she knows this?

What's with all the drawings and portraits of the dog?

What does the fact that the parrot spouts poetry tell us as readers?

Why do Barba and Nada allow the diggers to stay at their house? What does this tell us about them?

Why doesn't Natalia tell Zora about her grandfather's death yet? They are supposed to be BFFs.

Tiger's Wife Chapter 2

What happened at Sarobar? What is rakija?

Have you ever had a ritual or standing date with a parent or grandparent that you grew out of over the years? Did you make it clear that you had outgrown it? How was that message received?

A view of wartime that we rarely get...those not close to the fighting were leading a relatively normal life. Does this seem surprising?

What would you do if there was a war going on in our country...say, in Minnesota (assuming the Canadians have attacked)? Would you go to school? Would you sell contraband on the black market? Would you try to acquire things from the black market? Where would you fall in this spectrum?

Why does grandfather act so defiantly, knowing that he may be risking his family's well being?

What is the strangest, most interesting thing you've seen at night? Share with us...if we're worthy...

Do you have any stories that have been passed down to you? Give a brief summary and then explain why the story is important to you.

What are your thoughts on the story of the deathless man?

Tiger's Wife Chapter 3

Why is Dure so adamant about not taking his kids to a doctor?

Do you see any parallels or links between this chapter and the the story of the deathless man?

Does your family or anyone you know still believe in and/or practice home remedies for illnesses? What are they? Do they work?

Tiger's Wife Chapter 4

How is anthromorphism put to work in the story of the tiger? What purpose does it serve for the author?

How does this tiger's story parallel that of Pi's story? How are the two tigers different at this point?

Great quote: "...if you are making your journey in a hurry, you are making it poorly."

Why is everyone in Galina so bothered by outsiders?

What would make someone want to entice a tiger with meat and continually bring it closer to them? If you were enticing a tiger, would you want to lure it further away from you?

What is a bey?

There are two stories about the tiger hunt -- the real story and the one manufactured by the survivors. Why do you think they made up the story they told to the town?

Tiger's Wife Chapter 5

Why would her grandfather have gone in search of the deathless man so late in his life?

How did the barman figure out that she was related to the man who had died (her grandfather)?

What is significant about the death of the boys?

Why is the narrator still being so secretive about her whereabouts when it comes to Zora, her bff?

This book relies very heavily on description. Do you feel the description serves a purpose most of the time, or do you think it's just window dressing? Give an example and explain your thoughts.

Tiger's Wife Chapter 6

It seems that a lot of older people get together to discuss and reminisce about things, sometimes at the VFW, sometimes the bingo hall, or sometimes at bridge parties. Do your grandparents do this? Your parents? What is their standing date with their friends? What purpose does this type of get together serve in the bigger scheme of things? What do these gatherings tell us about ourselves as humans?

Who do you think is the "stupid son of a bitch" that her grandfather is referring to while tending to the Marshall? What was the real cause of his illness?

Her grandfather makes two rather cryptic statements: "You'll be leaving God out of it, then," followed closely by, "With children, you're on your own." Explain what he means here.

How does one develop "nonchalance in the face of death"? Why do doctors need this attitude? Is it a healthy attitude for doctors to have? Does it make them better doctors?

What do you make of the story of the lake-house fire? Why is this such an important memory for the narrator? Why does her grandfather choose the day after the fire to continue the story of the deathless man? is there a connection?

What is your take on visions of iconic religious figures in everyday items (Jesus in a French fry, Mary in a bagel, etc.)? Do you believe these claims when you hear them? Have you seen one in person? How do you react to these sorts of claims?

Why does the deathless man feel that his situation is punishment? What makes it feel like punishment?

Chapter 7: Heavier Boots

What do you think compelled all of the Blacks to show up for Oskar's play?
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"?

Chapter 8: My Feelings

Oskar's grandmother states, "He never took pictures of me, and we didn't buy life insurance." What does this statement tell us about the character and their relationship?

When did his grandma move? Where did she move to?

Why is it so important that Oskar's grandfather's hands didn't lose their roughness? What caused them to remain coarse?

Her mother's pearls are mentioned a few times. Is this significant? If so, why? Explain.

Why was she thinking of shoes?

"He promised us that everything would be ok. I was a child, but I knew that everything would not be ok. That did not make my father a liar. It made him my father." What is the significance of this quote? What does it tell us?

While helping her to learn about makeup, her mother cries. Why?

Why does Oskar's grandmother get rid of all the pers from the apartment?

Chapter 9: Happiness, Happiness

A very graphic, first-hand description of the atomic bomb attack on Japan. What is significant about Oskar's choice to share this with the class? How is it connected?

How does the story of Buckminster fit in on a deeper level?

Why do you think Stan pulls his hand back from Mr. Black when they are introduced?

There are some good sections that highlight the generation gap between Mr. Black and Oskar.  Which ones did you notice, and how do they help build the characters or the story?

Why does Oskar insist on finding out if Agnes Black had any kids? Is Mr. Black lying about the answer? If he is, why would he do that?

What do the letters from Gary Franklin and Jane Goodall tell us about Oskar? What does this second response from Stephen Hawking tell us?

Oskar states that he sometimes thinks that the key opens everything. What has it opened so far?

What do you learn about Oskar from his session with the therapist? What do you learn about his mother from the choppy conversation that Oskar eavesdrops on?

Why does he listen to his father's message when he gets home from his therapy session?

The chapter is titled "Happiness, Happiness." Why?

Chapter 10: Why I'm Not Where You Are 4/12/78

Why has this chapter been marked up in red? What does that tell you?
So Oskar's grandfather had gotten Anna pregnant before the bombing of Dresden. How does this change your view of him and his behavior when he gets the news that Oskar's grandmother was going to have his baby?
While he's in the hospital after the bombing of Dresden, Oskar's grandfather says he was operated on, but it was the nurse's touch that saved his life. Why do you think he says this?
He says that "thousands of people were left to suffer hope." What does he mean by this?
How does this letter to Oskar's father change your view of his grandfather, if at all?

Simon Goldberg writes his grandfather a brief letter. Goldberg is an actual figure in history...you may want to find out a little about him...and think about how this letter may have affected Oskar's penchant for writing letters to famous people.

Chapter 11: The Sixth Borough

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?

Chapter 12: My Feelings

Why is the interview with the father of the missing girl so important to this story?
There's a shift in the conversation...she starts off the story by referring to Oskar as "you"...then she shifts and says "I wanted to turn to face him, but I couldn't. I moved my hand to touch his hand." Assuming that this is not an oversight, why would she switch how she's telling the story (from telling him the story to telling us the story)?
Why is the sound that Oskar makes at the cemetery so important to his grandmother?

Why is Oskar's grandfather apologizing...or what is he apologizing for?

Chapter 13: Alive and Alone

I think it's the first time I've seen the phrase "extremely loud" in the book. In this case, it's pessimistic thinking that is so loud in his mind...not sure where that will lead...
Why are all of the envelopes empty?
Great description: "He was on one kind of carpet, I was on another. The line where they came together reminded me of a place that wasn't in any borough." Why is this such good description?
Why is Oskar's grandfather so reticent to tell Oskar who he is?
What do you find interesting about Oskar's visit with Georgia Black?
Why does he think of another letter from Stephen Hawking at this point? How is this significant?
Why does Oskar give himself a bruise at the coffee shop?
For the first time I see the phrase "incredibly close."
Why do you think Oskar has done so much research on 9/11?
It interests me and saddens me how much life has changed since 9/11...Oskar's fears at the Empire State Building would not have been fears before that attack...
I never knew a plane had crashed into the Empire State Building...or that it was built with moorings for zeppelins...
What is the heart of the story about the Empire State Building guide, Ruth? Why is it an important story?
How is it that Oskar doesn't know this is his grandfather, even though he gives the reader so many clues?

End of chapter -- "loud and close" again...

Chapter 14: Why I'm Not Where You Are 9/11/03

What did you make of the way this chapter was started?
What is different about this door knob?
Why does Oskar's grandmother allow Thomas back into her life?
The code using telephone pad numbers may have thrown you. Here is a comment I found on the internet concerning this code:

“On behalf of my English classes, I wrote to Mr. Foer’s agent several years ago, asking about the number code in ELIC. He was kind enough to respond personally; regretting the time my students had spent decoding, and admitting that the numbers can’t be deciphered. He did say that in a way, this is consistent with the theme of people trying to communicate and failing, but the numbers themselves are more or less random, with a few exceptions. I hope this helps.”

If you do a search for this decoding, you will find that many have tried and have only been able to decode bits and pieces. I think the explanation above will suffice, so don't kill yourself trying to decode it. If, however, you do find a way to decode it, by all means share what you decoded.
What do you find interesting/confusing/disturbing about Oskar's grandmother's behavior towards "the renter"?

Chapter 15: A Simple Solution to an Impossible Problem

Notice the parallel between Oskar's thoughts on not knowing when the "last time" would be and the thoughts on this in the previous chapter. What is significant about this?
Where does Oskar think Mr. Black is? Why is this significant? Where do you think Mr. Black is?
Why doesn't Oskar's mother care about Oskar going all over New York city at night? If his mother knew what he was doing all this time, what is her motivation for not talking about it with Oskar? What is significant about her involvement in contacting everyone before Oskar even arrived?
The phrase "incredibly close" shows up twice in this chapter...the phrase "extremely loud" shows up once...
Why is the picture of the back of a man's head included in the chapter?
William Black's father wrote letters before he died -- a lot of them. Letters show up a lot in this novel -- some sent, some not sent. Why do you think the author uses letters so much in the novel? What do they represent?
Why do you think Oskar didn't want to go to the bank with William? Why do you think he told William the story about the last message? Why is it so critical that he finally told someone?

What is significant and powerful about Stephen Hawking's letter and the timing with which Oskar receives it?

It makes sense that Thomas (Oskar's father) wanted to meet his own father...but why did he see him only once after he had found him? And why is Thomas' father still writing letters to him?
If it was Simon Goldberg in the bookstore, why would he simply hug Oskar's grandfather and then run away?
Why do you think Mr. Black never told Oskar about his grandfather?

What do you think about those last few pages that get more and more dense with typing?

Chapter 16: My Feelings

Oskar's grandma says something interesting when he offers to get her magazines like he used to do: "I told him to bring a suitcase so he could come back with one of everything." She follows this up by stating: "I wanted him to be able to take his things with him." What does this reveal?
What parallels do you see between the reactions she has when the grandfather is thinking of leaving and those she has when she is leaving her father to die?
What is the significance of her dream that is interspersed here?
Why didn't she say anything to him before about him seeing Oskar?
Why does he bury the letters?

What message is this chapter (which is a letter to Oskar) trying to get through to Oskar?

Chapter 17: Beautiful and True

What is so important about the interaction between Ron and Oskar?
Why is Oskar so interested in Gerald's daughters and his relationship with them?
What does Oskar mean when he refers to digging up his dad's coffins as "a simple solution to an impossible problem"?
Why isn't his mom angry or curious about his late night trip to the cemetery?
His mother tells him that his dad had called her. What does this do for Oskar? Why doesn't he share with her about the messages he hid from her?
What does Oskar's reversal of the pictures and the imagined reversal of time remind you of?

The chapter was entitled "Beautiful and True". What is beautiful and true about this chapter?

Some Additional Questions About the Book as a Whole

Do you find Oskar sympathetic or annoying? Or both?

Oskar "plays Yorick" (the long dead jester whose skull Hamlet holds in his hand!) in a school production. What is the significance of that role?

Jonathan Safran Foer has said that he writes about characters and their miscommunications: some characters think they're saying a lot but say nothing; others say nothing but end up saying a lot. Which characters fall into which category in Extremely Loud? What might Foer be saying about our ability to communicate deep-seated emotions?

Do you see this book as a work of realism (in which case the mother's role would matter) ... or as more of a fable? If the latter, what is Extremely Loud a fable of?

Do you find the illustrations, scribblings, over-written texts, etc. a meaningful, integral part of the work? Or do you find them distracting and gimmicky? Why are they there?

How do both main plot and subplot (Oskar's grandfather and the bombing of Dresden) interweave with one another?

(Source: http://www.litlovers.com)

What do you think is the significance of the novel's title?

Who was your favorite character? Why?  

Were there any passages or scenes that you remember well or particularly liked?

Any comments about the way the book ended?

(Source:  http://www.galesburglibrary.org)

Which Beatles reference makes the greatest impact in the novel? How would you explain their centrality in the Schell household?

How does Mr. A. R. Black's deafness contribute to the storyline?

Which of Oskar Schell's inventions would you most like to see implemented and how would it work?

Which of Oskar Schell's phobias seems the most debilitating and how?

What do Dresden, Hiroshima, and 9/11 share in common? How do they differ?

(Source: http://www.bookrags.com)