Chapter 15

     This chapter, narrated by Oskar, is the beginning of the resolution of the novel...things are starting to come together and make sense.  Things that didn't have much meaning before have significant meaning now.  It turns out that Abby Black, on of the first people Oskar visited had more information than she had originally let on, and eight months after that visit, Oskar receives the message and visits her.  The following realizations occur:

• The key goes to a lock box that William Black owns (Abby's ex-husband)
• The lock box was passed from William Black's father to William Black
• This information was given to William Black in a letter
• The key to the lock box was inside a blue vase that William Black sold before reading the letter
• The vase was sold to Oskar's father less than a week before 9-11
• Oskar's mom has been keeping tabs on him since the beginning of his journey, contacting everyone he was planning on meeting with to keep him safe

"My search was a play that Mom had written, and she knew the ending when I was at the beginning" (page 292).

Oskar, in the chapter reveals a desire he has deep down, and what I think contributes to his self harm of giving himself bruises.  His desire is to be forgiven...

"I asked him, 'Do you forgive me?'
'Do I forgive you?'
'Yeah.'
'For not being able to pick up?'
'For not being able to tell anyone.'
He said, 'I do'" (page 302).

Thank you,

Olivia