The Green Glass Sea

Jim Kerrigan, Dewey’s father, whom she calls Papa, is a scientist who works on the Manhattan Project. His illustrious status as a renowned scientist is illustrated by the fact that he is immediately recruited at the beginning of the war and is called to Washington to meet with President Truman to discuss the possibility of German scientists concurrently working on an atomic bomb project. Papa instills in Dewey an appreciation of the beauty and power of science and a love for learning.

Although Papa is an absent parent for much of Dewey’s day-to-day life, he is a loving father who adores Dewey, as is illustrated in his tearful farewell when he leaves for Washington: “He crouched down so that they were eye-to-eye. ‘I love you, Dews,’ he said quietly. ‘I love you more than anything else in the world. You’re my girl. ‘He pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head” (132). Papa’s death—he is hit by drunk soldiers in a car while crossing the street—is characterized as a tragedy; the reader is positioned to mourn his premature death alongside Dewey. Dewey sees Papa’s legacy in the beauty of the green glass sea, which he helped to create through his participation in the Manhattan Project.

Suze Gordon is 11 when the novel opens and newly 13 when it closes. Suze loves art, as is characterized by her constant drawing and collage projects. She often works on these at home alone, as she is a social outcast despite her willingness to be included in the games and social events of the popular girls in her grade, Barbara, Betty, and Joyce. Before she and Suze are friends, Dewey notes that “Betty and Joyce and some other girls were playing jacks on the concrete […]. Suze stood a few feet away, watching. Dewey was pretty sure she wasn’t playing with the other girls, just standing nearby and pretending that she would be, any minute” (148). Suze’s exclusion, as well as her desire to be included, is characterized in this anecdote. Suze’s immaturity is characterized by her cruelty to Dewey in an effort to be accepted by the other girls, such as when she intentionally knocks Dewey’s cigar box from her hands in the playground.

Suze’s maturity and her growing regard for Dewey are shown when she keeps her arm around Dewey when they run into Barbara and Joyce on their way back from the dump. In this moment of loyalty, Suze decides to prioritize her friendship with Dewey, which makes her feel accepted and happy, over her attempts to be accepted by the other girls. Furthermore, Suze makes an effort to make Dewey feel accepted as a part of their family when she reassures her that she will always have a place with them, even if they move from Los Alamos back to their old neighborhood: “I figured we’d just go back to our old house. You could have your own room there” (268). This acceptance marks a significant evolution from Suze’s treatment in their home in the opening chapter when she intentionally makes Dewey feel unwelcome.

Terry Gordon is Suze’s mother. She is a chemist who works on the Manhattan Project and, therefore, is often absent in Suze’s day-to-day life on the Hill. Terry is a compassionate person; she volunteers to take Dewey in when Jim goes to Washington and then takes on the role of a mother figure to Dewey after he is killed. Her kindness is illustrated when she comforts Dewey in the aftermath of Papa’s death: “She feels Mrs. Gordon’s arm under her knees, feels herself being lifted, then cradled, and allows herself to sink into Mrs. Gordon’s lap. She feels the faint brush of a kiss on her forehead, and then she is gently rocked” (271).

Despite her involvement in the project, Terry is distressed at the idea of the atomic bomb being used on civilian populations. Her point of view represents the moral and ethical quandaries that the creation of weapons of mass destruction elicit. Her distress is clear at the party hosted at their home with fellow scientists: “‘My god,’ Terry Gordon said, her voice raised, sounding angry. ‘They can’t use it. Not on civilians. Not on anyone, for that matter’” (251). Terry’s anger positions readers to consider whether there is any situation that justifies the use of a weapon that causes enormous and indiscriminate death and damage.Terry Gordon is Suze’s mother. She is a chemist who works on the Manhattan Project and, therefore, is often absent in Suze’s day-to-day life on the Hill. Terry is a compassionate person; she volunteers to take Dewey in when Jim goes to Washington and then takes on the role of a mother figure to Dewey after he is killed. Her kindness is illustrated when she comforts Dewey in the aftermath of Papa’s death: “She feels Mrs. Gordon’s arm under her knees, feels herself being lifted, then cradled, and allows herself to sink into Mrs. Gordon’s lap. She feels the faint brush of a kiss on her forehead, and then she is gently rocked” (271).

Despite her involvement in the project, Terry is distressed at the idea of the atomic bomb being used on civilian populations. Her point of view represents the moral and ethical quandaries that the creation of weapons of mass destruction elicit. Her distress is clear at the party hosted at their home with fellow scientists: “‘My god,’ Terry Gordon said, her voice raised, sounding angry. ‘They can’t use it. Not on civilians. Not on anyone, for that matter’” (251). Terry’s anger positions readers to consider whether there is any situation that justifies the use of a weapon that causes enormous and indiscriminate death and damage.

Philip is Suze’s father. He is a physicist who is involved in the Manhattan Project. As with Terry, Philip’s work, which is high-pressure and time-sensitive, keeps him at work for long hours, particularly as July of 1945—the test date for the atomic bomb project—approaches.

Philip perceives the success of the project as an assurance of American victory, which will save countless American lives. This is illustrated when he walks into the home after the successful test, clearly elated and holding his fingers in a “V for Victory.” Unlike Terry, Philip feels little compunction over the bomb’s use; he feels that his role as a scientist is complete, and it is the politicians’ job to decide on the appropriate use of the bomb: “He shrugged. ‘It’s out of our hands now. The science worked. It’s all Washington from here’” (248). His nonchalance upsets Terry, who feels like the scientists have a moral responsibility to urge the government not to use the bomb as a weapon after they witness its awesome destructive power; this creates discord and argument within Gordons’ marriage.