The Green Glass Sea

Klages creates moral ambiguity around the creation of the atomic bomb; she juxtaposes the excitement and joy around the incredible scientific discovery with the awesome, destructive power of the bomb. The immense power of the atomic bomb is symbolized in the green glass sea at the test site. 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, which seems like something out of science fiction rather than a man-made creation: “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; this 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. Klages invites the reader to consider the terrifying implications of the bomb’s destructive power being unleashed on a crowded city rather than on a barren stretch of desert, which happened with the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Through the mixed responses of the Los Alamos population, Klages explores the immense moral and ethical quandary that the creation of such a weapon elicits, especially in the context of a bloody and protracted war, as was the case in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Historians tend to agree that if the Japanese failure to surrender led to a direct attack on the Japanese homeland, the result would be 500,000 to a million American deaths and millions of Japanese casualties. Even in its destruction, the atomic bomb was expected to be less destructive than a military campaign to attack Japan. Thus, the predominant initial response is joy at the project’s success, characterized by the spontaneous celebration on the Hill in the aftermath of the explosion: “Their silent vigil became a party” (246). For the majority of the scientists, Army officials, and their families, the success of the atomic bomb development signals the end of the war, which is projected to save the lives of millions of American soldiers: “It’s a weapon, to end this terrible war once and for all” (252). This belief is further illustrated in Philip’s elated entrance to his home after the successful bomb test: “Dr. Gordon came bounding up the back steps ten minutes later, grinning from ear to ear, his fingers raised in a V-for-Victory sign” (247). Philip’s “V for Victory” illustrates the prevailing belief that Japan should be bombed to force its surrender.

On the other hand, many believe that it is unethical to unleash a weapon of such immense destructive power. This compunction is voiced through the character of Terry Gordon: “‘Now that we’ve seen what it can do. 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 moral misgivings and distress at her involvement in the project is clear; she feels a responsibility to try to stop the use of the weapon by the military. Her concern is illustrated when she suggests that the scientists sign a petition to submit to the government that the bomb cannot be used on Japan: “Chicago’s drafted a petition. If enough of us sign it, they’ll have to listen” (252). The opposing views on the use of the atomic bomb are illustrated in the microcosm of the Gordons’ relationship. Dewey observes that “the Gordons had been arguing a lot lately” (252), which symbolizes the Gordons’ opposing positions on the bomb’s use.

The novel ends on the radio announcement, ironically not paid much attention by any of the characters, of the bombing of Hiroshima: “‘...onto the Japanese city of Hiroshima this morning...’ She [Suze] turned past it to more static and shook her head. ‘Nothing but war news,’ she said, clicking the radio off” (281). At the novel’s close, the reader is invited to consider the incredible violence and destruction unleashed on Hiroshima, which killed more than 100,000 Japanese people, mostly civilians, and leveled miles of densely urbanized cityscape. Readers with historical knowledge of the bombing of Japan will know that three days later, this occurred again in the Japanese city of Nagasaki before Japan surrendered.