Orbiting Jupiter

by Gary D. Schmidt

You can tell all you need to know about someone from the way cows are around him.

it really wasn’t even close to twenty-one degrees.

This refrain seems intentional..

Sort of.

tardy?’

‘I always know where Jupiter is,’ he said.

It was Joseph’s third smile. Sort of.

Details like these suggest a consistent trace of sadness on Joseph. Literary technique for emphasis.

so what if I had to use my legs. You’re allowed.

Joseph and me

Informal English implies a relaxed mood, an imperfect narration, contributing to the effective POV

Then Joseph’s father said a few words I’m not allowed to say,

Innocence/young age

yellow dog’s

Animal & colour imagery

During the day, the air glistened with hovering ice. At night, the stars were razor sharp. At dawn, the sunlight went straight up in a hazy column. And sunset closed the day with a quick wink.

the firelight on the ice,

paradoxical imagery

It was all the same.

Although the story isn't based in the "old days", as quoted by Jack's dad, their family live a simple, repetitive life but they find fulfilment in it every day. Even the story line so far hasn't been very full of twists and turns which equally reflects the beauties of their ordinary life. Then, we look forward to, observe and note the details and writing more than usual.

five of the upstairs bathrooms.

Wealth- the author doesn't tell, he shows.

Trouble follows him like a yellow dog.’ ‘I’ve seen what happens to yellow dogs,’ I said. ‘It was three against one.’

that night at the pond, while my father and mother and I got colder and colder listening to Joseph, I guess that night unfroze him.

many references to temperature are used to simultaneously reflect the mood and emotions.

‘Maybe angels aren’t always meant to stop bad things.’ ‘So what good are they?’ ‘To be with us when bad things happen.’

Joseph was smiling and laughing. Joseph was smiling and laughing.

Repetition is both relaxed and hysterical at the same time. We truly feel the narrator’s young excitement. It’s shown in a simple, meaningful way.

Supper was fine that night. Chicken, carrots, and sweet potatoes, bread pudding with homemade vanilla ice cream and homemade chocolate sauce.

This seems like a ritual to Jack, but for many, all of this homemade food would summon envy. It makes us consider and admire country life and it’s benefits.

You know what happened when Mr Brook put his hand on Joseph’s back? Joseph flinched.

Contrasts to Joseph’s reaction with Jack’s father highlights the insecurity he feels around his own blood. The rhetorical question further engages the reader in this key moment.

Sometimes it’s like that. You know something good is coming, and even though it’s not even close yet, still, just knowing it’s coming is enough to make you snort and nicker. Sort of.

Hope/faith

kids’

Kid's or kids'

smiling. I’d lost count.

I had his back. And he had mine. That’s what greater love is.

‘Jupiter. I promise I’ll always know where you are.’