While reading the story I kept on pondering the mystery of
the pads of paper at the art supplies store. How did Oskar’s father put his
name on the pads of paper in the art store a year after his death? It seems as
if the father is trying to play the treasure hunt game with his son again, but
how could this be possible? Since the store clerk was 90% sure that the paper
had been put out recently, it is extremely unlikely that Oskar’s father placed
the pads of paper there himself. This is just a theory, but I think it might be
the mother who is setting up the hunt just like the father used to do. On page
52, Oskar explains his expeditions into the city to find the “Black” that the envelope refers to. He then says, “What was so weird, and what I should have tried harder
to understand, was that she never asked anything else, not even ‘Out to where?’
or ‘Later when?’. Oskar’s use of words in this sentence makes it seem as if the
mother was up to something; she was acting blatantly different than most
mothers in her situation would act. The mother’s change in attitude over Oscar’s
journeys to the city may have been due the fact that she knew the reason Oskar
wanted to venture out. I believe that Oskar’s mom is trying to support Oskar in
the best way she can, by keeping alive the memory of Oskar’s father, and also keeping
him occupied so that he has a purpose and can direct his pain towards
something.
This is a really good theory. I agree that Oskar's mom's actions seemed a bit suspicious. I think it would be nice to find out that Oskar's mom is helping him, rather than simply giving up on him.
ReplyDeleteYES!! This is awesome Amber, I completely agree with you. Although, I don't think this is an example of Oscar's mom giving up on him. Like you said, I think she is just trying to give him a purpose, and she feels as though the most effective way to do that is to keep his father alive in whatever way possible. I have a feeling maybe she is going to play a part in this entire game, and in the end Oskar will find out and be extremely disappointed that it wasn't truly his father. Maybe it will ruin their relationship. Just guesses!!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting theory, it is possible but I think unlikely. While the dad seemed to be able to come up with extreme games like this one, it seems unlikely to me that the mom, who seemed out of the picture while Oskar and his dad played their games, would come up with something as elaborate as this. She very well could have placed the key in the vase but another thing to take into consideration is the handwriting. Oskar could easily recognize his dad's handwriting so I would assume he could also recognize his mother's and it is unlikely although not entirely impossible that they had the same handwriting. Also, she could have gone to that store and written his name out but, unless they have the same handwriting, she would have to copy his handwriting exactly which seems unlikely.
ReplyDelete