Cosmic

This section continues to explore the theme of Growing Up and Becoming Responsible, as Liam passes the “Dad Test” and is selected to accompany the children into space. This triumph is quickly undone by his increasing desire for his father to step in and save him. This becomes a strong reminder that, despite appearances, Liam is still a child. He reflects on how he has been continuously pulled between being a child and having to be the adult, a tension that now feels more important than ever. Though terrified himself, Liam finds the strength to comfort and support the other children, drawing on everything he’s learned about leadership and empathy. His transformation from thrill-seeking child to genuine caretaker starts to become more complete.

When Mr. Bean tells him that he’s going to a dangerous place but will return, it echoes something Liam’s father once said when he started high school and demonstrates the comfort and reassurance that comes from having a parent figure. Liam has taken on the role of caretaker, but in truth, he still longs for protection, thematically emphasizing The Importance of Fatherhood. Also contributing to this theme is the scene when Florida admits that she doesn’t have a father; he abandoned her family years ago, and she has spent her life hoping he might come back. Her dream of fame, she confesses, is rooted in a desire to see him again. Liam realizes that he has unknowingly become the closest thing to a real father she’s had in a long time.

The launch scene is filled with emotion, silence, and suspense. The moment of countdown and liftoff carries immense weight, and the imagery used before launch reflects the emotional pressure Liam feels. The line, “I could feel the cool shadow of the rocket at my back” (247) is both literal and metaphorical: The towering rocket physically casts a shadow, but its enormity also represents the weight of responsibility and fear, while its shadow symbolizes the unknown. The launch zone’s stillness, the isolation from the outside world, and the contrast between high-tech control rooms and emotional human reactions all create a growing sense of unease.

Other symbols continue to emphasize emotional heights in this section. The rocket is revealed to be more than a vehicle, but also a launch system for the Dandelion, a space sailboat that will orbit Earth and the moon forever as a sort of thrill ride. While Dr. Drax explains this as a gift to the world, it also represents her detachment from consequences and morality. The idea of infinite orbit contrasts with Liam’s growing desire for connection and normalcy. Before the launch, Liam is told to carefully consider what he packs, and he chooses two symbolic items: his dad’s statue of St. Christopher and his old phone filled with family photos. These items, as Mr. Bean explains, will help him remember that he wants to come home. Reinforcing the concept of space as something more than physical distance, Mr. Bean warns Liam, “Space is somewhere else. D’you see? It’s not just far away. It’s a different kind of place. It can get a hold of you” (268). This emphasizes space as a psychological and emotional place that tests identity, memory, and belonging.

The suspense rises as the mission gets closer to launch. Liam, now fully aware of the danger, attempts to withdraw his consent, but Dr. Drax refuses to let him, solidifying her role as a dangerously single-minded person who has too much power. This shifts the emotional tension of the narrative, especially because Liam is now committed to the kids’ safety. When the team is officially launched into space, the characters’ reactions vary, but their fear is real. The launch itself, though technically a success, is also a turning point in the story: The fun, games, and competitions are now over, and there’s no going back. The story enters a new phase in which the dangers are real, and childhood fantasy merges with reality.