Chapter 17, Scrap Metal Summary

Maria brings Oskar a new drum when she visits him in the asylum. Oskar has worn out his previous drum in telling the story of Herbert, Niobe, and Krystal Nacht. Oskar refers to Krystal Nacht as his "rather arbitrary interpretation of the first Epistle of the Corinthians." Oskar instructs her to number the worn out drum and save it in the basement, with all the past drums.

After taking the drums from the toy store, Oskar conserves them by drumming less. He begins to waste away, losing weight because drumming is all that has made life bearable. After a visit to the doctor, Oskar eats more to gain weight, but in the process wears out his drum. In searching for another, Oskar seeks out Jan Bronski. Bronski's visits are now limited to a quiet tap on the door after...