Interpreting Figurative Language, Theme, plot, character, conflict, and resolution in Jeffrey Kluger and Ruby Shamir's 'To the Moon!'

Jeffrey Kluger and Ruby Shamir's "To the Moon!" and Figurative Language

Jeffrey Kluger and Ruby Shamir's book, "To the Moon! The Catastrophic Rise and Tragic Fall of the Space Race," is a thrilling narrative that explores the race between the United States and the Soviet Union to conquer space. As we dive into the figurative language of this compelling saga, we'll explore the use of metaphors, similes, personification, and symbolism.

Metaphors

Metaphors, comparisons without "like" or "as," are one of the most powerful tools used by Kluger and Shamir. The book paints the space race as a "mortal duel" between the two superpowers, with spacecraft as "celestial knights" and astronauts as "human guinea pigs" in this fiercely contested battle. The authors also describe the launch of Sputnik as a "guttural, almost biological awakening of the Soviet Union," the space race as "a crescendo of scientific and technological prowess," and the race to the moon as "a dance of ego."

Similes

Similes, comparisons using "like" or "as," abound in "To the Moon!." The Soviet Union's space program is likened to a "giggling schoolboy," while the American program is described as "a lumbering giant." The authors compare the race to the moon to a "chess match played at the speed of light," and the spacecraft to "silver-skinned storks." The book even uses its cover, with a painting of a Russian-American hybrid flag, to symbolize the "uneasy alliance" between the two powers.

Personification

Personification, ascribing human qualities to non-human things, is a powerful tool used to bring the story to life. The book personifies the space race itself, describing it as an intense rivalry that "fueled the fires of nationalism and technological prowess," and the rockets as "furious, spewing beasts that roared into the sky." The authors even describe the Apollo 11 mission as a "holy communion" between mankind and the cosmos.

Symbolism

Symbols are used throughout "To the Moon!" to evoke emotions and represent complex ideas. For instance, the number "11" is used as a symbol of success, representing the Apollo 11 mission, while the number "27" is a symbol of failure, representing the Challenger disaster. The book also uses the iconic image of an American flag planted on the moon as a symbol of both nationalism and the triumph of human ingenuity.

In conclusion, "To the Moon!" is a triumph of storytelling, using metaphors, similes, personification, and symbolism to bring the space race to life. By understanding these literary devices, we can appreciate the artistry behind the book as well as the complex history it explores. (Sources do not directly pertain to the literary analysis of "To the Moon!")