The significance of the name Schell.
Oskar’s last name, Schell, is extremely significant in understanding both his character and the characters around him. In the English language, shell means a hard covering used for protecting and enclosing. This definition fits well with Oskar’s personality. After the death of his father, Oskar cuts himself off emotionally from people and the world around him. He retreats into himself, leaving only a shadow of his former being for all others to see.
Since Oskar is of German descent, it made sense to look up the German definition of schell. In German, schelle (the closest spelling of Oskar’s last name) means clamp and handcuff. This definition also relates to Oskar’s character. Oskar closed and cut himself off to other people and even to himself. There are examples of this all throughout the novel. Whenever Oskar is asked a question he first answers silently (in his mind) the way that he wishes he could, and then answers out loud with what people want to hear which is ultimately what he wants and wishes he could also believe. Oskar ‘clamped’ his mouth shut, locking in his emotions. His actions held him back from moving on with his life, much like how handcuffs keep you from moving your arms, or worse getting away from the situation. (Usually by the time you have handcuffs on it is too late to move on anyway, but since Oskar’s handcuffs were put on by himself, he was able to remove them if he wished).
Throughout Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Oskar repeats many phrases. The most important in considering the significance of the name Schell are the phrases “I’m Ok”, and “heavy boots”. Oskar has knotted and hidden himself so deep within that it is impossible for anyone to get through to him. In order to reassure his family that he is doing alright, he repeatedly says the phrase “I’m Ok”, even when he is not. This self defense mechanism diverts the peoples eyes away from the real problem and allows Oskar to continue to hide within himself. As for the repetition of “heavy boots” this goes to show how by hiding his inner most thoughts, feelings, and expressions, Oskar is indeed hurting himself. But instead of this hurt making him come out and open up to people, he delves deeper inside himself, afraid of the word around him.
Oskar’s last name, Schell, is an excellent symbol of his personality and character. It supports his actions and rather secluded personality. The use of specific names by the author can, as in this case, enhance the depth and understanding of a writing and make characters more personable
Since Oskar is of German descent, it made sense to look up the German definition of schell. In German, schelle (the closest spelling of Oskar’s last name) means clamp and handcuff. This definition also relates to Oskar’s character. Oskar closed and cut himself off to other people and even to himself. There are examples of this all throughout the novel. Whenever Oskar is asked a question he first answers silently (in his mind) the way that he wishes he could, and then answers out loud with what people want to hear which is ultimately what he wants and wishes he could also believe. Oskar ‘clamped’ his mouth shut, locking in his emotions. His actions held him back from moving on with his life, much like how handcuffs keep you from moving your arms, or worse getting away from the situation. (Usually by the time you have handcuffs on it is too late to move on anyway, but since Oskar’s handcuffs were put on by himself, he was able to remove them if he wished).
Throughout Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Oskar repeats many phrases. The most important in considering the significance of the name Schell are the phrases “I’m Ok”, and “heavy boots”. Oskar has knotted and hidden himself so deep within that it is impossible for anyone to get through to him. In order to reassure his family that he is doing alright, he repeatedly says the phrase “I’m Ok”, even when he is not. This self defense mechanism diverts the peoples eyes away from the real problem and allows Oskar to continue to hide within himself. As for the repetition of “heavy boots” this goes to show how by hiding his inner most thoughts, feelings, and expressions, Oskar is indeed hurting himself. But instead of this hurt making him come out and open up to people, he delves deeper inside himself, afraid of the word around him.
Oskar’s last name, Schell, is an excellent symbol of his personality and character. It supports his actions and rather secluded personality. The use of specific names by the author can, as in this case, enhance the depth and understanding of a writing and make characters more personable
11 comments:
I like how you not only put the English definition of the word shell, but also the German. I would have never thought to look up the German translation as well, and it helps with the significance of the name a lot. Your example with the handcuffs and Oscar keeping his mouth shut sometimes as though he handcuffed himself makes me wonder if Foer knew the German translation of the word as well as the English definition before he wrote the novel.
Very thorough post, with the German translation as well as the English meaning of the word. I agree that Oskar uses a protective "shell," but I'm not sure it's so much against people. I feel like he tries to reach out to people emotionally rather than lock himself up. I think it might be a shell of another kind, having to do with all his new phobias (elevators, heights, etc.). Or it could be both.
I agree with tator and yesterday; I liked how you included the German definition of Schell in your blog and related it to Oskar's personality. I wish I had thought of that. It was also good how you incorporated some of Oskar's phrases into your blog because they definitely are self-defense mechanism, as you said. By trying to assure himself that he is fine, Oskar does not have to reach out and show people that he really is a mess.
Maximilian Schell was a German actor. Ironically (or as Foer intended) he played a role in a German film version of Hamlet. Also, Schell made his Hollywood debut in 1958 in The Young Lions, a WWII film. He made numerous WWII movies throughout his career. It is interesting to consider a relation between Maximilian Schell and Foer's Oskar Schell because of the war references made in Oskar's presentation.
Next, I will outline 3 definitions of the word "shell" in english. Pay careful attention to the order in which I present these definitions.
1. a hard, protecting or enclosing case or cover.
2. an attitude or manner of reserve that usually conceals one's emotions, thoughts, etc.: One could not penetrate his shell.
3. a hollow projectile for a cannon, mortar, etc., filled with an explosive charge designed to explode during flight.
And my subsequent explanations:
1. Of course Oskar uses a protective shell. Notice how he internalizes and suppress his true emotions (his internal, fictional explosions). By shielding his true feelings from others, it can be said he is "enclosing them in a case or cover". Also, notice that most of his mental breakdowns are in the presence of no one else. He waits to be alone before he falls apart, most typically. Which leads me into my next explanation:
2. Oskar certainly embodied an attitude or manner of reserve that usually concealed his emotions, thoughts, etc, from others. He was a true introvert, causing his angst to accumulate and intensify inside of him. Which leads me to my final point:
3. Because of Oskar's "shell", his angers and frusrtations pool up inside of him; it could be said that he is filled with an explosive charge of sorts. Oskar clearly has slightly violent tendencies (think of his illusional response during the play). Because of his shell-like nature, he could be easily overwhelmed by his emotions at any moment.
Finally, Oskar wanted to keep his mom in her shell. He desired for her to internalize her sorrow rather than seek a way to alleviate it. Rather than assuage her pain, by means of support groups and/or Ron, Oskar wanted her to remain alone and full of pent-up sadness.
Thanks for all your feedback guys! I guess taking German paid off, since I al now able to recognize words that originate from the German Language. Ha ha.
In response to Yesterday, I felt as though Oskar liked when people opened up emotionally to him. It showed him that everyone has emotions and that you don’t have to hide them. Oskar’s search for the answers and explanations to his questions allowed him to witness people opening up to him, something he was afraid to do. While Oskar liked to talk to people, he continued to close himself off emotionally from most people. When people opened up to Oskar, he was able to look through their emotions and realize that people can still be strong while showing how they really feel, and he was all able to do this without coming out of his own protective shell. It was a learning experience for him if you will; one that showed him that it was ok to feel emotions and express them to other people.
Diego:
Wow, I had no idea that there was even a German actor with the last name Schell that acted in Hamlet, what a strange coincidence.
I also liked your in depth definitions and analysis of the name Schell. While I only focused on a few of the meanings, you brought into light a couple more and related them extremely well to Oskar’s character. Many of your thoughts were similar to mine, but my favorite of yours was how you related Oskar to an explosive shell. As Oskar harbored his emotions inside of him, he was getting closer and closer to his holding capacity, and sooner or later was going to explode.
Thank you everyone on your comments and thanks for taking the time to respond, your ideas really made me consider my own thoughts about Oskar’s last name and how it pertains to his character and personality.
To diego:
One of Maximilian Schell's most memorable performances was his portrayal of the German defense attorney in Judgment at Nuremberg.
You should check out this paper. It contains a full phonetical analysis not only of the name Schell.
http://www.grin.com/e-book/153531/j-s-foer-s-extremely-loud-and-incredibly-close-sensation-mongering
I only read "Extrenely loud" this month and found myself wondering about its protagonist's name, his first name obviously referring to Grass's Oskar Matzerath. The fact that he protects himself like a "shell" occured to me aswell, and being German, I was wondering whether, him being of German descent, there was a second meaning linked to the German language. I like your idea about the handcuffs; however, they would never just be called "Schellen" in German; rather, one would always use "Handschellen." What "Schelle" (and its verb "schellen") however do mean, particularly in areas in the South and the East of the country(where Dresden is located), is "doorbell" or "ringing a doorbell", which, as he covers all of NY finding all its "Blacks" also makes a lot of sense, I find.
I only read "Extrenely loud" this month and found myself wondering about its protagonist's name, his first name obviously referring to Grass's Oskar Matzerath. The fact that he protects himself like a "shell" occured to me aswell, and being German, I was wondering whether, him being of German descent, there was a second meaning linked to the German language. I like your idea about the handcuffs; however, they would never just be called "Schellen" in German; rather, one would always use "Handschellen." What "Schelle" (and its verb "schellen") however do mean, particularly in areas in the South and the East of the country(where Dresden is located), is "doorbell" or "ringing a doorbell", which, as he covers all of NY finding all its "Blacks" also makes a lot of sense, I find.
I only read "Extrenely loud" this month and found myself wondering about its protagonist's name, his first name obviously referring to Grass's Oskar Matzerath. The fact that he protects himself like a "shell" occured to me aswell, and being German, I was wondering whether, him being of German descent, there was a second meaning linked to the German language. I like your idea about the handcuffs; however, they would never just be called "Schellen" in German; rather, one would always use "Handschellen." What "Schelle" (and its verb "schellen") however do mean, particularly in areas in the South and the East of the country(where Dresden is located), is "doorbell" or "ringing a doorbell", which, as he covers all of NY finding all its "Blacks" also makes a lot of sense, I find.
Thank you for writing this.
Post a Comment