In Jonathan Safran Foer's "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," the protagonist grapples with profound themes of existence and the weight of life's experiences. He reflects on the dual nature of living: while life can sometimes feel burdensome, it also brings the unique richness of human experience that can only be lived once. This sentiment highlights a sense of tragedy in the fleeting nature of life, emphasizing the importance of treasuring every moment.

The quote, "I thought, it's a shame that we have to live, but it's a tragedy that we get to live only one life," encapsulates the tension between appreciating life and mourning its limitations. The notion that we experience our existence just once underlines the urgency to seek meaning and connection in our fleeting time, making us ponder how we can best live in the face of inevitable loss and sorrow.