Oscar is a victim of trauma. The sudden death of his father and disruption of his family has changed him from an optimistic, imaginative child, into a tormented, pessimistic, (still imaginative), restless person. Foer allows the reader to see ways in which Oscar deals with his trauma, both positive and negative. For example, the journey that Oscar chooses to embark on is based on a very random, and seemingly unimportant key. However, it is the journey itself that is important. Oscar's obsession with the key pushes him to deal with his father's death, as well face his everyday fears. He meets many other people and gains insight into the way the world and humans work and interact. Foer also shows the negative ways Oscar deals with his distress. Oscar bruises himself when he feels guilt. He often lashes out at his mother, releasing his built up stress, for entering a relationship with another man after the death of her husband. The small tasks Oscar spends his time doing distract him from the difficulties of his life, while at the same time, bring him closer to dealing with them.