1. Oskar is just like any growing adolescent, he’s searching for answers. None of these answers usually come easily and ELIC catalogs this. Oskar is looking for love and closure and he feels it is only obtainable through his “quest.” I feel that he really learns about who he is as a person and matures as he realizes that he is left to care for his mother and he embodies his father’s spirit.

2. Thomas Schell discovers he must finally accept his role as a parent. He strives so hard to do what he believes is the best thing for his family yet discovers that he really can’t know what’s best for them.

3. Fast food was a provider of family time during my parent’s divorce six years ago when I was at the age of twelve. My father had very little left and my sisters, my dad, and I would often end up eating at fast food restaurants for most of our dinners. Following the stabilization of my family I have not been a big fan of fast food as I have grown more health conscious, however even if I’m not eating there I see commercials and the protruding arches everywhere I go.

4. Following the first two chapters of FFN I was surprised by the upbringing of so many of our classic heroes. Walt Disney’s story was truly eye opening as I learned he was uneducated but still made many very profitable business decisions. I was also surprised that so many of our current day companies originally “borrowed” their ideas and menus from McDonalds. I was not aware of the founding of all of these companies and their similarities.