Eli likes puzzles, and a lock is just that, a puzzle that is difficult to solve without the right key. But many (most ?) locks can be opened without a key. One just needs a couple of small and very simple tools. And knowledge, practice and patience.
This makes me think that lock-picking might be something that Eli would like to do. Especially since it would turn out quite useful. There are many hiding places in modern cities, suitable for Eli (and Oskar). Search for "urban exploring" on youtube, and you'll see! But to enter these places there generally are locks to open, preferably in such a way that it isn't visible afterwards. In other words, locks need to be picked.
The novel doesn't mention Eli as having any lock-picking skills, but that is no proof that he didn't know how to do it. He just didn't need to pick any locks in any of the scenes in the novel (or film). But if he didn't know how to to pick locks in 1981, he might have learnt the craft later. Maybe inspired by a suggestion from Oskar?
So, what do you think?
(Casper thought so...)
Lock-picking as a hobby for Eli
Lock-picking as a hobby for Eli
But from the beginning Eli was just Eli. Nothing. Anything. And he is still a mystery to me. John Ajvide Lindqvist
Re: Lock-picking as a hobby for Eli
Eli's method of defeating the basement door (on the way towards Tommy's hangout), though, is rather simplistic. In fact, it draws attention to itself - which is the reverse of Eli's usual intentions.
However it was done in as act of opportunity. It wasn't premeditated and so he wasn't prepared.
Similarly, he doesn't attempt to pick the lock when he acquires the T-Rod at the grocery. However, again, this was not a premeditated event; he was in a dire hurry.
So there's not much to suggest that Eli is a lock pick. I do agree, though, that locks could be seen as an intriguing puzzle.
Modern steel locks are a lot tougher than locks of the 1780s or 1800s. Whereas he might have possessed a skill for getting through them, the modern (1981+) type of lock might require tools he's not yet acquired or at least doesn't have in his possession.
However it was done in as act of opportunity. It wasn't premeditated and so he wasn't prepared.
Similarly, he doesn't attempt to pick the lock when he acquires the T-Rod at the grocery. However, again, this was not a premeditated event; he was in a dire hurry.
So there's not much to suggest that Eli is a lock pick. I do agree, though, that locks could be seen as an intriguing puzzle.
Modern steel locks are a lot tougher than locks of the 1780s or 1800s. Whereas he might have possessed a skill for getting through them, the modern (1981+) type of lock might require tools he's not yet acquired or at least doesn't have in his possession.
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a_contemplative_life
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Re: Lock-picking as a hobby for Eli
Here's what Eli needs--I recently checked this out from the library 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/007144829 ... ref=plSrch
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/007144829 ... ref=plSrch
Re: Lock-picking as a hobby for Eli
I think Eli probably does know how to lock-pick since he has a bunch of different puzzles in his trunk. But then there is no proof in the novel that he has any knowledge.
I think if he does know it will be something that he would want to suprised Oskar with.
I think if he does know it will be something that he would want to suprised Oskar with.
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a_contemplative_life
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Re: Lock-picking as a hobby for Eli
Kinda makes you wonder what other sorts of things Eli might enjoy. Crossword puzzles? Sodoku?
Re: Lock-picking as a hobby for Eli
Very interesting, and great inspiration for fan-fiction ideas!
Bulleri bulleri buck, hur många horn står upp
Re: Lock-picking as a hobby for Eli
Well, modern locks are surprisingly easy to open for an experienced lock pick. And the tools are really, really simple:gkmoberg1 wrote:[...]Modern steel locks are a lot tougher than locks of the 1780s or 1800s. Whereas he might have possessed a skill for getting through them, the modern (1981+) type of lock might require tools he's not yet acquired or at least doesn't have in his possession.
A lesson for beginners:
But from the beginning Eli was just Eli. Nothing. Anything. And he is still a mystery to me. John Ajvide Lindqvist
Re: Lock-picking as a hobby for Eli
Back when I was a curious little Oskar, I tried some of this myself. Only I did not have such fancy tools. I had only the tools in my father's tool chest plus whatever I could fashion from materials around my house. Bent paper clips, thin gauge wire, and large construction staples were my additions. So I did not have anything so slender as needed for picking locks. And as a result I was unable to get into things that, well, were locked up because they were dangerous.
I do think, though, that a lock from the 1790s or 1820s would have been easier to break into.
The thought that I come to working with is how well Eli did at keeping up with the times. As things advanced (locks, transportation, communication, etc.) how well would a wayward 12 yr old fare with that? Would Eli even bother unless something new directly impacted something Eli wanted to do? We don't see Eli, for example, hanging out with an Atari game system and its full range of game cartridges. Rather, we see a quiet Eli who has very old toys and play quietly with them. I think this is a long-learned habit, familiar from childhood, and not leading to a lot of natural exploration.
I do think, though, that a lock from the 1790s or 1820s would have been easier to break into.
The thought that I come to working with is how well Eli did at keeping up with the times. As things advanced (locks, transportation, communication, etc.) how well would a wayward 12 yr old fare with that? Would Eli even bother unless something new directly impacted something Eli wanted to do? We don't see Eli, for example, hanging out with an Atari game system and its full range of game cartridges. Rather, we see a quiet Eli who has very old toys and play quietly with them. I think this is a long-learned habit, familiar from childhood, and not leading to a lot of natural exploration.
Re: Lock-picking as a hobby for Eli
Eli needed to travel lightly, that would have excluded Atari games in 1981 and earlier. So the lack of modern toys may have been just a question of practicality. Remember that all of Eli's belongings (short of his clothes) fit into two cardboard boxes, small enough to go under a normal bed. Besides, I'd think Eli would have been bored rather quickly with the early games.
But I think Eli wouldn't have had much trouble with keeping up with the times, to the extent that they came into his life. He would have accepted the convenience of railway trains when they emerged. Later, he would travel by car. He knew how to use a telephone. He would know about television and radio. At least he would have seen them in shop windows, read about them in newspapers and magazines. Maybe one of his helpers had had a radio or a TV. In the movie, Håkan had a radio, apparently. But Eli wouldn't get one for himself. Too much trouble.
So, I think the reason within the story for the old toys was that they were interesting to Eli, had some remaining value of entertainment or affection, and were small enough to bring along. (Outside the story, however, the reason for the old toys would be to give the reader the impression of a lonely kid who had been around for a very long time.)
Something I have thought about is that Eli might have liked to read. There are no signs of Eli reading in the novel (or the film), but it is such a good way to escape from a drab existence that it would be hard to explain why Eli wouldn't read about anything he could get his hands on. And I can see for myself Eli and Oskar spending time reading aloud for each other - just like Stefan and Karin used to do in LtODD.
But I think Eli wouldn't have had much trouble with keeping up with the times, to the extent that they came into his life. He would have accepted the convenience of railway trains when they emerged. Later, he would travel by car. He knew how to use a telephone. He would know about television and radio. At least he would have seen them in shop windows, read about them in newspapers and magazines. Maybe one of his helpers had had a radio or a TV. In the movie, Håkan had a radio, apparently. But Eli wouldn't get one for himself. Too much trouble.
So, I think the reason within the story for the old toys was that they were interesting to Eli, had some remaining value of entertainment or affection, and were small enough to bring along. (Outside the story, however, the reason for the old toys would be to give the reader the impression of a lonely kid who had been around for a very long time.)
Something I have thought about is that Eli might have liked to read. There are no signs of Eli reading in the novel (or the film), but it is such a good way to escape from a drab existence that it would be hard to explain why Eli wouldn't read about anything he could get his hands on. And I can see for myself Eli and Oskar spending time reading aloud for each other - just like Stefan and Karin used to do in LtODD.
But from the beginning Eli was just Eli. Nothing. Anything. And he is still a mystery to me. John Ajvide Lindqvist
Re: Lock-picking as a hobby for Eli
I think that Eli did like to read. Eli tells Oskar about Romeo and Juliet when he writes him the notes. Maybe he has a list of favorite books that he likes to read.
The problem will be if he buys books or checks them out from a library which could be difficult since they both would be moving a lot.
Later maybe Eli buys an e- reader a few years later and there he can download his favorite books. I would think that among his trunk he keeps a journal with his favorite quotes from the books he has read.
The problem will be if he buys books or checks them out from a library which could be difficult since they both would be moving a lot.
Later maybe Eli buys an e- reader a few years later and there he can download his favorite books. I would think that among his trunk he keeps a journal with his favorite quotes from the books he has read.