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Chapter 1
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Atmosphere, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Love, Relationships, and Meaning
Courage and Identity
Sexism and Misogyny
Heteronormativity and Family
Summary
Analysis
Seven years earlier, Joan’s sister Barbara called her and told her that she saw an ad on TV announcing that NASA was accepting applications for astronauts. NASA is particularly looking for women who are scientists, Barbara says. At the time, Joan is working as an astronomy professor at Rice University in Houston. She applies for the position, but a few months later, she hears that she doesn’t get it and is distraught.
The novel flashes back seven years to tell the story of how Joan and the other characters on board the shuttle in 1984 arrived at that point. Notably, Joan isn’t selected to become an astronaut her first time applying. That initial setback then serves to underline the novel’s themes about the importance of courage and perseverance when trying to achieve one’s dreams.
Themes
A year after that, Joan hears once more that NASA is accepting applications for astronauts, and they’re particularly looking for astronomers and astrophysicists this time. Joan applies again, and she’s invited to interview along with a select group of about 100 other applicants. Together, the applicants take part in training sessions with NASA, many of which are run by a man named Antonio. A couple of months after the training sessions, Antonio calls Joan and tells her she’s one of only two people from her particular group of applicants who have been chosen to be an astronaut candidate. The other person who’s been chosen is Vanessa.
Themes
