Fallout

Content Warning: Both the source text and this guide contain descriptions of war, war-related trauma, racism, ableism, and sexual harassment.

“All year long, the Communist threat had been growing as the Russians spread their influence in Asia and South America and even to a little country called Cuba, which was an island somewhere south of Florida ruled by a Commie named Castro who had a scruffy beard, wore a green army uniform, and smoked cigars.”

The casual yet biased tone of this passage indicates that at the beginning of the novel, Scott’s uncritical worldview is primarily influenced by his parents’ opinions, for he is too young to understand the nuances of world events and form his own ideas. However, when life in the shelter forces Scott to mature in a hurry, he will begin to realize the need for greater nuance.

“The cheesecake was cold and creamy and delicious, and I bit off a little of the nutty brown crust to go along with it. Like a prisoner on death row, I began to savor my last meal.”

By juxtaposing death-row references with the simple pleasure of eating cheesecake, Scott’s narrative reflects the gleeful misbehavior of childhood fun even as his wording indicates the degree to which the existential nuclear threat has tainted his perspective. Ronnie even explicitly rationalizes their theft with the idea that none of them have long to live, and Scott is pulled in multiple directions through the pre-attack chapters as his natural considerateness conflicts with the chaos that Ronnie encourages.

“Mom came out of the kitchen wearing a blue apron and a frown on her face. Then she spoke the words that struck an even greater, or at least more immediate, fear than a Russian attack: ‘Go to your room until your father gets home.’”

Despite the constant existential threat of nuclear attack, Scott is still primarily concerned with the immediate consequences of his misbehavior at home. This passage therefore shows the limits of Scott’s experience, as parental punishment still fills him with far more fear than does the threat of war.