In "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," the protagonist expresses feelings of isolation and despair, likening his emotional state to being lost in a vast, dark ocean or deep space. These sensations are most intense at night, highlighting his sense of distance from the world around him. This profound loneliness drives him to create and invent, much like beavers that incessantly chew on trees to manage their constantly growing teeth.

The comparison to beavers reveals a deeper metaphor about coping mechanisms and the relentless nature of his thoughts. Just as beavers must continuously act to survive, the protagonist feels compelled to keep inventing to stave off the overwhelming feelings of disconnection. This imagery illustrates the struggle of navigating inner turmoil and finding a way to cope with the overwhelming solitude he experiences.