In "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," Jonathan Safran Foer explores the complexities of human emotions and the moral dilemmas we often face. The protagonist, Oskar Schell, navigates his grief and search for closure while trying to make sense of the world around him. This journey highlights how individuals may resort to questionable actions in their pursuit of healing and understanding.

The quote "You have to do something bad to do something good" reflects the idea that moral ambiguity exists in life. It suggests that sometimes people must make tough choices, where the ends might justify the means, in order to achieve positive outcomes. This theme resonates throughout Oskar's quest, as he learns that actions can have both positive and negative repercussions.