Chapter 9

     Oskar is back to being the narrator in this chapter.  The chapter starts out by relaying a television interview between an interviewer and a person named Tomoyasu.  Tomoyasu was a survivor of the bombing of Hiroshima and was relaying their experience to the interviewer.  However, as the interview continued, Tomoyasu began to ignore the interviewers questions and continue on describing their experience trying to find their daughter, Masako.  It was a really sad interview.

"It doesn't matter what uniforms the soldiers are wearing.  It doesn't matter how good the weapons are.  I thought if everyone could see what I saw, we would never have war anymore" (page 189).

     Once the interview was over, the chapter transitions into letting us know that Oskar showed this video to his classmates as part of a presentation.  However, as the chapter continues, we learn there is a disconnect here between Oskar and the rest of his class.  Oskar is mainly focused on the math and science behind the bomb, its radius, damage caused, etc. while everyone else in the class is moved by the meaningful story told by Tomoyasu.  One student, Jimmy, is a bully in the class and makes fun of, mocks, and is overall a jerk to Oskar and it was hard to read without getting really angry.

"Friday, Jimmy Snyder called me from across the playground, and then he came up to me with a bunch of his friends.  He said, 'Hey, Oskar, would you rather have a handjob or a blowjob from Emma Watson?' I told him I didn't know who Emma Watson was.  Matt Colber said, 'Hermionie, retard.' I said, 'Who's Hermione? And I'm not mentally retarded.' Dave Mallon said, 'In Harry Potter, fag boy.' Steve Wicker said, 'She has sweet tits now.' Jake Riley said, 'Handjob or blowjob?' I said, 'I've never even met her" (page 192).

     Oskar had trouble sleeping that night after his presentation because he was so excited to go looking for the lock that goes with the key.  He goes and picks up Mr. Black from the apartment above him and they go visit quite a few people that Saturday.  This is significant because Mr. Black from the apartment above Oskar helps Oskar take public transportation to get places faster.  He also helped Oskar eat something that wasn't either plastic wrapped or made by his mom. 
     During the meetings with these different people, both in this chapter and previous chapters, there have been characters that seem to know more about Oskar than they are letting on.  One person he visits knows his name before Oskar tells her.  Another person says that he cannot help Oskar before Oskar even asks for help.  This same person also answers the door by saying, "Oh, it's you", which is curious.  I wonder if they somehow already know about Oskar's journey...

Thank you,

 

Olivia