The Green Glass Sea

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 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).