logo

51 pages 1 hour read

Samantha Harvey

Orbital

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Essay Topics

1.

Discuss the novel’s “plot-less” narrative structure. How does the deliberate framing of the novel as a day in the life of six astronauts dispel the requirement for narrative thrust, momentum, or resolution?

2.

Comment on the politics of space travel. What does the novel suggest about the current direction of space exploration and research in the context of modern-day geopolitics? How do the present tensions between the United States and Russia inform your understanding of the political tensions on the space station?

3.

Pietro’s thoughts on progress are hinged on two values: goodness and beauty. How does the novel navigate the dichotomy between goodness and beauty in relation to human civilization? Does it suggest that humanity is beautiful but not good, or is humanity good but ugly? Discuss your thoughts.

4.

Comment on Harvey’s decision to name only the characters on the station. How does it affect the reader’s experience that none of the characters on Earth are named, unless they manifest some form of presence on the station (i.e., the packet radio voices)?

5.

Pietro’s argument against robots, Shaun’s reflections on Las Meninas, and the Voyager probes all point to the importance of the humanities in contemporary society. Expand on this thesis by discussing these narrative points, as well as other elements that support the need for humanistic thinking.

6.

What is the novel’s position on interplanetary colonization? Does Harvey argue strictly against settling on other planets? Support your claims for her argument. If she is against it, what are her issues with this form of settlement? If not, what are the reasons she supplies for its support?

7.

Chie muses on the possibility of remaining in the space station for the rest of her life so that she can convince herself that her mother is still alive. How does this reflect the experiences of children who have grown apart from their families? How has Chie had to navigate between being present in her parents’ lives and choosing to pursue her career ambitions?

8.

How do the test mice symbolize the six station crew members? How do Chie’s feelings for them reflect her own wishes and hopes for herself and her five colleagues?

9.

The crew on the new lunar mission are portrayed as public celebrities. In private, they are depicted as being reckless and unsympathetic to the suffering of others. What does this suggest about the way the media valorizes public figures, particularly those who are pushed forward as champions of human progress? What are some examples of real-life public figures who were presented positively in the media but behaved poorly in their private endeavors?

10.

The novel suggests that the current direction of scientific endeavor is hinged on the vanity of humankind. On the other hand, it also suggests that humanity can’t help it, given its loneliness in a vast and seemingly empty universe. What is the philosophical value of humanity’s self-importance? Using the novel, discuss whether one can find individual meaning by regarding humanity’s destiny (or lack thereof) in the universe.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text