Meeting+1+Extremely+Loud+Incredibly+Close

Summary of the meeting 3/5/12

During our first session we discussed how the book was. We all agreed that we are not 100% satisfied with the book. In other terms it is not amazing. It is a very touchy subject. The pictures that are added in-between the paragraphs make the books full affect really hit you. Alyssa brought in bagels for all of us and Kim had great questions that we all were able to discuss.

Key Questions: 1. What is Oskar's reaction when he finds the missing key? Oskar is curious about the key and what it will unlock. 2. How does the death of Oskar's father affect the relationship Oskar has with his mother? It seemed like Oskar was closer with his dad. So once he died Oskar separated himself from the rest of the world and especially his mom. 3. What does the key symbolize? The key symbolizes the strong connection that he has with his dad. 4. What does Oskar think the word "Black" symbolizes and where is the first place he goes? Oskar thinks the word "Black" symbolizes the answer to finding out what the key opens. The first person with the last name Black that Oskar tracked down was a girl named Abby Black. Even though Abby invited him in to her apartment and gave him some coffee, she didn't know anything about the key or about his dad, Thomas Schell. 5. What is your opinion on this as the reader? My opinion about what Oskar is doing by asking all the people with the last name Black in NYC if they know his dad or if the key looks at all familiar is that he is trying to get closer to him even though he died in 9/11. Since he died somewhere in the building, his body was not found so Oskar feels like he should figure out all that he can. I think that Oskar feels that if he figures out what the key opens it will bring him closer to his dad and solve the unknown.