The Green Glass Sea

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2006

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3, Chapters 8-18

Part 3, Chapters 19-28

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

Suze Keeps Her Arm around Dewey in Front of Barbara and Joyce

In earlier chapters, Suze relishes the opportunity to show off in front of Barbara, Joyce, and Betty by taunting Dewey. Suze hopes that this will gain her the approval of the girls and result in her being respected and included. Suze’s friendship with Dewey is an important turning point; Suze decides to prioritize the feeling of authentic joy she gets from hanging out with Dewey over her desire for social acceptance.

This change is seen when Dewey and Suze see Barbara and Joyce on their way home from the dump; Dewey goes to pull away from Suze, assuming that Suze will not want to be seen with her. Instead, Suze stays as she is: “She took a deep breath and squeezed Dewey’s shoulder, just once, and Dewey stood still” (201). This moment illustrates Suze and Dewey’s developing friendship, as well as Suze’s Coming of Age; Suze illustrates her maturity when she asserts her loyalty to the ostracized Dewey despite the potential social consequences.

The Green Glass Sea

The immense power of the atomic bomb is symbolized in the green glass sea. The heat of the explosion melts the sand of the desert, creating 75 acres of glass: “It was glass. Translucent jade-green glass, everywhere, coloring the bare, empty desert as far ahead as she could see” (276). Dewey’s wonder characterizes the incredible and astounding nature of the phenomenon: “Dewey stood still, then turned slowly around, trying to take it all in. This place was more wonderful than anything she could have imagined” (278). Philip points out that the glass, which the scientists call trinitite, is the first ever man-made mineral, which further characterizes this scientific breakthrough as incredible and unprecedented.

On a darker note, the bomb’s potential to incinerate and destroy is characterized by the fact that it melts the desert’s sand, a material generally regarded as imperishable. The phenomenon is awe-inspiring both in its beauty and its terrifying implications.

Science

Science is a recurring motif throughout the work; characters achieve identity and purpose through the world of science. Philip and Terry Gordon’s life and work centers around their involvement in the Manhattan Project, which brings the family to Los Alamos. Similarly, Dewey’s intellectual pursuits are a stable feature as she is moved among caregivers. This importance of science to Dewey’s self-esteem is illustrated on the train; when she is feeling nervous, she gets out The Boy Mechanic and fiddles with her radio. This interest also helps Dewey feel connected to her Papa, whom she spends years away from. Furthermore, Dewey and Suze find common ground in the fact that their names are both drawn from the world of science; Suze’s middle name is Sklodowska, after Marie Curie’s maiden name, and Dewey is named Duodecima, the Latin word for 12.

Similarly, Dewey’s Papa’s life is ruled by his passion for science, which motivates him in his work on the Manhattan Project: “If we win this war, I’ll always be free to do what I love. To solve problems, to teach, to share my discoveries” (124). After Papa’s death, Dewey feels a connection to him when she sees the awesome sight of the green glass sea, which encapsulates his belief in the power and beauty of science.