Code Orange

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2005

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Download PDF

Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Chapters 10-12

Chapters 13-15

Chapters 16-19

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

Disease

In addition to smallpox, the characters discuss diseases such as typhoid, tetanus, and polio, as well as anthrax. Although the symptoms vary from disease to disease, the diseases are similar in their ability to attack and terrify a vulnerable population. As Mitty studies his disease, he can’t help but feel some of the symptoms he is reading about, even when it would be too soon after exposure to feel any symptoms if he had smallpox. As he walks around New York, he imagines people around him swelling with pustules, the telltale marks of smallpox. Later, when he pretends to have smallpox to fool the terrorists, he fakes the appearance of certain symptoms by forcing himself to believe he really has the disease. His psychosomatic symptoms trick the terrorists into believing he is sick.

Rather than giving in to imaginary symptoms and hallucinations, scientists face the disease rationally and with purpose. The book discusses how scientists work to protect the population from these diseases by coming up with treatments and vaccines. Like those on the front lines in war, they are on the front lines of disease, heroically fighting these viruses, doing all they can to capture the disease.

Technology

The technology in 2004, the time of the book, shows the power of the internet to transfer information across the globe. Mitty, who is feeling desperate and alone, sends queries about his smallpox situation out to the internet, hoping to get help from someone. But he is unable to contain the response once it’s been unleashed. Because of the anonymous nature of the internet, Mitty does not know who will be on the receiving end of his questions. And because the internet does not just have innocent participants but those with evil intent as well, he is in danger from anyone who happens to find him online and in person.

Research

The story begins with a biology research paper. Mitty’s biology teacher, Mr. Lynch, assigns the topic of infectious disease. He tells his students they must have at least four books for their topic in order to be credible. He also suggests that they interview an expert in the field to gain more background. He encourages them to follow their questions in order to make their projects more compelling and relevant. He also warns them against the dangers of plagiarism.

Mitty finds his teacher’s emphasis on honest and thorough research daunting at first, complaining about the rigorous requirements. But his teacher’s guidance forces Mitty to expand his limited world, and he eventually grows more and more fascinated by his topic. His dedication to his project leads Mitty to uncover the potential dangers of smallpox and inspires him to reach out to others when he is concerned the world might be in danger of another smallpox outbreak because of his exposure to the disease.

Literature

Literature provides a path for characters to understand the world around them. Much to his surprise, Mitty finds himself riveted by Beowulf, the epic written over 1,200 years ago. He finds the action and suspense gripping and can relate to the terror the Danes feel when confronted with the monster, Grendel, who attacks out of nowhere. This is the terror New Yorkers felt on and after 9/11, and would feel again if confronted with a smallpox outbreak caused by bioterrorism.

Mitty, Derek, and Olivia also study the World War I poem “Dulce et Decorum est.”Mitty disagrees with the antiwar premise of the poem, believing instead that it was noble to die for one’s country, but that discussion gives Derek and Olivia a way to talk about issues of patriotism and heroism when Mitty goes missing. They use their friend’s reaction to the poem to predict Mitty’s reaction to his current situation. Literature allows them to understand Mitty’s situation.