In "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," the author Jonathan Safran Foer explores profound themes of loss and the hidden complexities of human emotions. The quote highlights the idea that beneath the surface of daily life, there exists a deep, often unacknowledged layer of grief and history. This notion suggests that experiences of loss can be buried within us, much like the metaphorical dead world existing beneath a living one.
The imagery of burying people a hundred floors down reflects the overwhelming nature of trauma and the struggle to confront it. Foer masterfully illustrates how individuals often carry their past experiences with them, even if they appear to function normally on the outside. The book delves into the intermingling of sorrow and resilience, inviting readers to consider the hidden depths of those around them and the invisible scars they bear.