How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The more I found, the less I understood. (1.28)
Although Oskar's talking about his Dad's vague scavenger hunt here, the author seems to be using this as a metaphor. Especially at Oskar's age, it seems like the more you learn, the more questions you end up having.
Quote #2
"But if there isn't a reason, then why does the universe exist at all?" […] "Well, what I don't get is why do we exist? I don't mean how, but why." […] He said, "We exist because we exist." "What the?" "We could imagine all sorts of universes unlike this one, but this is the one that happened."
I understood what he meant, and I didn't disagree with him, but I didn't agree with him either. Just because you're an atheist, that doesn't mean you wouldn't love for things to have reasons for why they are. (1.37-38)
Just your typical bedtime conversation about the reasons for existence. Oskar wants reasons; his father's point is that you have to embrace the uncertainty. He's not a religious man, so he can't give Oskar the kind of answer that a person of faith might give. Oskar's not old enough to have his father's nuanced perspective on life. After he loses his father, these "whys" take on even more importance for him.
Quote #3
It would have been a logical explanation, which is always the best kind, although fortunately it isn't the only kind. (3.23)
You can think of Oskar's search for the meaning of "Black" as metaphor for a search for the meaning of life. And for this question, there is no logical explanation. Being the intellectual and obsessive kid that he is, Oskar always starts with logic when he's trying to find answers, but he's glad that there are other ways to explain things. That sounds like something his Dad would have taught him.