Symbolism, Imagery and Theme in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close 
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Symbolism, Imagery and Theme in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close tells the story of Oskar, a 9 year old boy, who had a very close relationship with his father before he died in the 9/11 attack. His love for his father grew after he found a key in his fathers’ vase, which sent him on an adventure to find the lock that fits the key. Jonathan Safran Foer, the author of this book, clearly demonstrates the characteristics of literary elements. The novel proves these literary elements through symbolism, imagery, and theme. Examples of these literary elements include symbolism shown through the key, which represents the hope that Oskar will reconnect with his dead father; imagery utilized through pictures such as the ones Oskar collected in his folder of Stuff That Happened to Me; theme represented through journey and loss as it is Oskar’s quest to find the lock that fits his fathers key and cope with his fathers death. These literary elements make the novel come alive and help the reader appreciate and understand Oskar and his adventure. With the 9/11 attack as a backdrop, his adventure effects people close to him as well as people he meets.
Symbolism is shown various times throughout the novel. The key that Oskar found in a vase in his fathers’ closet represents hope that Oskar can reconnect with his dead father. This key represents everything he has left of his father and decides to make a scavenger hunt to find the lock that fits the key; noticing the name Black on the envelope, he decides to search all of the people named Black in New York and visit them all. He states in the novel that he wants to tell his mother but “the lock was between me and Dad.” (Foer 52). Oskar has a feeling that the key will explain his fathers death and will be able to understand what happened to him. Most
importantly, Oskar thinks the key is the last mission his father gave him to complete. He doesn’t hold back, he does everything he can
Symbolism, Imagery and Theme in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close tells the story of Oskar, a 9 year old boy, who had a very close relationship with his father before he died in the 9/11 attack. His love for his father grew after he found a key in his fathers’ vase, which sent him on an adventure to find the lock that fits the key. Jonathan Safran Foer, the author of this book, clearly demonstrates the characteristics of literary elements. The novel proves these literary elements through symbolism, imagery, and theme. Examples of these literary elements include symbolism shown through the key, which represents the hope that Oskar will reconnect with his dead father; imagery utilized through pictures such as the ones Oskar collected in his folder of Stuff That Happened to Me; theme represented through journey and loss as it is Oskar’s quest to find the lock that fits his fathers key and cope with his fathers death. These literary elements make the novel come alive and help the reader appreciate and understand Oskar and his adventure. With the 9/11 attack as a backdrop, his adventure effects people close to him as well as people he meets.
Symbolism is shown various times throughout the novel. The key that Oskar found in a vase in his fathers’ closet represents hope that Oskar can reconnect with his dead father. This key represents everything he has left of his father and decides to make a scavenger hunt to find the lock that fits the key; noticing the name Black on the envelope, he decides to search all of the people named Black in New York and visit them all. He states in the novel that he wants to tell his mother but “the lock was between me and Dad.” (Foer 52). Oskar has a feeling that the key will explain his fathers death and will be able to understand what happened to him. Most
importantly, Oskar thinks the key is the last mission his father gave him to complete. He doesn’t hold back, he does everything he can