After 9/11, Oskar Schell struggles with the lost of his father, his disease and his nearly absent mother. The only thing that makes him feel better is what his father taught him: expeditions. A year later, he discovers a key by breaking accidentally a vase that inspired him to search all around New York for information about the key (a lock). This adventure help him to communicate with people and confront his fears. Finally, he realizes the key wasn't important, it doesn't even belong to him, it belongs to William Black. At first, he felt disappointed but then he experiments a relieved feeling.