In Jonathan Safran Foer's "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," the protagonist reflects on his compulsive drive to invent and create. He likens this urge to the behavior of beavers, which persistently gnaw on wood. While many view beavers as tree cutters for constructing dams, the truth is that their teeth continuously grow and must be worn down. Without this constant activity, they would face a dire consequence—potentially losing their lives to their own overgrown teeth.

This metaphor illustrates the character's relentless creativity and necessity to keep inventing, suggesting that his mind functions in a similar way. Just as a beaver's survival depends on managing its physical attribute, the protagonist's thoughts and inventions are vital to his existence. This comparison emphasizes the intrinsic drive to create, stemming from an almost instinctual need to prevent personal turmoil.