In "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer, the protagonist grapples with the overwhelming presence of death in his life and the world around him. The quote reflects a deep aversion to discussing mortality, highlighting how it seeps into conversations and shapes experiences, even when it's not the explicit topic. This constant reminder of death creates a heavy atmosphere that weighs on the young character's psyche.

The narrative explores themes of grief, trauma, and the struggle to find meaning after loss. The quote encapsulates the challenge of navigating a reality that often feels dominated by sorrow, portraying a sense of isolation in the face of collective mourning. Through the lens of this character, Foer delves into how individuals cope with pervasive reminders of mortality and the yearning for connection and understanding amidst the chaos of life and death.