Fear Quotes in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

I get panicky about being away from Mom. I'm not very good with people. (9.57)

We're not sure if Oskar is lying here, or if this used to be true and now it no longer is. There's barely a page that goes by in this book where Oskar isn't on his own and talking to strangers with relative ease.

Quote #5

I was terrified of my own image, my blood-matted hair, my split and bleeding lips, my red, pulsing palms. (10.1)

Grandpa doesn't seem scared when the bombs fall on Dresden, probably because of adrenaline and shock. It's not until he has a moment in which he really sees himself in the aftermath that fear sets in.

Quote #6

I haven't heard from him either. I'm worried. (12.31-12.33)

This is a moment of terrible, terrible fear: the dawning realization in both Grandma and Mom that they may have lost Dad in the September 11th attacks. Like when Grandpa lived through the bombing, it takes a while for the true fear to set in. It begins as worry and anxiety.