COA-Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

        These two quotes "What kind of person am I?" (Page 30) and "Even though I was going through different neighborhoods, I was still me." (Page 58) make me think about the discussions in class about growing up and the different texts we have looked at. In class we talked about how when you're growing up, its easier to be feel confused and lost then when we were younger. We were under our parents and families wings. But as we get older, we make our own decisions, can be easily influenced and become lost or confused. I feel these two quotes talked into that issue about growing up.

"What kind of person am I?" (Page 30)
         This quote was taken from around the beginning of the book. The chapter was about how this man wrote a letter to his unborn child, describing how his life was on a downward spiral and then he met the woman of his dreams-the childs' mother and the mans wife. The man became a mute throughout his life. He had lost how to say words and describe how he felt. He was questioning himself because none of his pets knew their names because he couldn't speak.
        I think this quote means more then just him being mad about the pets. This quote makes me think about how sometimes in life, we doubt ourselves and who we are. The bigger idea is about doubting who you are inside and being lost without words. And not just lost about words but if you can't speak, and you can't express in words, i think you do lose a part of yourself. Your words are how you let others inside your head, how they can understand you. But if people can't understand you, you start doubting and not understanding yourself. You lose the faith you had in yourself and being who you are. This quote reminds me of the short story we read in class, Am I Blue?  The main character, Vincent, was unsure about his sexuality. He doubted if he was straight or gay. And if he was gay, what would he do? He was unsure about his sexuality topic. I think that these two texts help show the struggle of growing up or "coming of age." If we have a small bit of doubt in our mind. If struggles in our lives cause us to doubt ourselves as we mature, we lose faith in ourselves. Our choices and decisions become hazy. We doubt our sexuality, appearance, personality, or even our selves enitrely like in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

"Even though I was going through different neighborhoods, I was still me." (Page 58)
         This quote was taken from Oskar. When he was trying to the person who's last name is Black and also knew his father. He is youner than 12 years old and he walking all by himself. He didn't tell his mother or grandmother where he was going or what he was doing. For him, this is between him and "his father."
         This quote i think is about staying true to yourself. I mean, he's not just letting the readers know that he hasn't suddenly changed, i wasn't even thinking about that until i read this line. The bigger picture for me was that Oskar was saying that for himself. He doesn't want to lose himself in this journey all over the borough. To me, this is the opposite of the quote above. Oskar was sure of himself, he was still determined. It makes me think hard about the texts we read. In every text, the cahracter or narrator had a struggle. Either with themself or society. Oskar also had his tambourine with him to "remind" himself of who is he. Like if he didn't have something from the apartment or his life, he would lose himself, much like the man above.


        I think this proves the point that in most cases, as you become a teenager and grow up, you become easily confused,influenced and lost. You become doubtful and hesitant with your choices in life. But when you're younger, you feel more determined. You want to go somewhere, you march up to daddy or mommy and tell them. And if they don't take you right away, you throw a tantrum. And even if you're not that old, and and you're getting your first few tastes of freedom, (like Oskar) you're still determined. You don't become doubtful or influenced. These two quotes show the difference between growing up and staying young. In the end, I think the message is that as you get older, you lose the determination you once had when you were younger.