Memtos for Memories.

      Oskar talks a lot about how many things give him “heavy boots”. Often times,  just thinking about his dad gives Oskar “heavy boots”. But that is because there is a lack of his dad. My invention is a piece of gum that would trigger a happy memory of Oskar and his dad. So, if Oskar was ever at the park, and he got “heavy boots”, he could chew one piece of gum, and he would remember him playing in the park with his dad, or he would remember the story of the Sixth Borough. This piece of gum will trigger a memory of that place, even if Oskar doesn’t ever recall that memory. It would just be like regular pack of gum, maybe a little bit more expensive, but it could possibly change Oskars life.

     Throughout the book, Oskar strives to have a secret connection with his dad, and allowing him to have these memories would just let him create a secret bond, and hopefully get rid of his “heavy boots”. Before Oskar's dad died, they were having a secret somewhat riddle that Oskar had to figure out. But after his dad died, Oskar could not  figure it out. While reading an old newspaper article, Oskar came across the words "not stop looking" that his has circled. Oskar believed that his father was still trying to direct him. After lots of searching, Oskar could not find anything. "But I still couldn't figure out what it all meant. The more I found, the less I understood" (Page 10).Oskar is just trying to hold onto whatever he can with his father. He needs to have a connection. That is also what the key gave him. It allowed him to create this small connection with his dead father. When he finds the owner of the key, Oskar tells him about the messages from that day, and how he did not answer the phone. " Do you forgive me?"(Page 302). Oskar asks this to Mr.Black, but really, he is asking his dad if he forgives him. I feel that the memtos gum would give him the satisfaction of knowing. Although the effects of the gum would only be temporary, the experience of the memory would help Oskar to grow up, but never forget the great moments he had with his dad.