I watched the sheets breathe when she breathed, like how Dad used to say that trees inhale when people exhale, because I was too young to understand the truth about biological processes.
In "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," Jonathan Safran Foer captures a child's innocent perception of the world. The protagonist reflects on a moment when he observes the sheets moving in sync with his mother's breathing, creating a vivid image of life and connection. This observation ties into a childhood belief that parallels the natural world's rhythms, showing how children interpret their surroundings with a blend of wonder and misunderstanding.
The quote evokes themes of simplicity and the quest for understanding in a complex reality. The reference to trees inhaling as people exhale highlights a child's imaginative way of linking human life to nature, illustrating how young minds process abstract concepts about existence and interconnection. This perspective emphasizes the beauty of curiosity and the innocence of youth in grappling with profound truths.
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