Question

Read this excerpt from Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. "She said, 'Ron is a great person,' which was an answer to a question I didn’t ask. So I asked again. 'True or false: you are in love with Ron.' She put her hand with the ring on it in her hair and said, 'Oskar, Ron is my friend.'" Which statement best describes the ambiguity in this excerpt?

a) It is unclear whether Oskar’s mom is bothered by his questions.
b) It is unclear whether the conversation is one they have had before.
c) It is unclear whether or not Oskar’s mom enjoys Ron’s company.
d) It is unclear whether the ring is from Ron or from Oskar’s dad.

Answer 1

The excerpt from 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' contains ambiguity centered around the origin and significance of the ring Oskar's mom wears, which could be from Ron or Oskar's dad, as she does not directly address her romantic feelings. The correct option is d) It is unclear whether the ring is from Ron or from Oskar’s dad.

Step-by-step explanation:

The excerpt from Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close presents ambiguity regarding the feelings of Oskar's mom towards Ron. Her answers deflect from the direct question about being in love, which leads to various interpretations of the conversation. This could be an intentional narrative device used by the author to create uncertainty and depth in the characters' relationships. When looking for ambiguity in dialogues, it's essential to consider the unsaid and the evasion present in the interactions between characters.

In the provided excerpt, the statement that best describes the ambiguity is option d) It is unclear whether the ring is from Ron or from Oskar's dad. This is evident as Oskar's mom placing her hand with the ring in her hair could be seen as a deliberate gesture that highlights the ring, bringing up the question of its origin and significance in the context of her relationship with Ron versus her past with Oskar's dad, creating an ambiguous situation related to loyalty, commitment, and love.