Zoe Glass

Croy

March 15-16, 2017

Part Two

I don’t want to die,

but their lives matter
more than mine.

(This is a CGI based off of its lesser pencil self.)

Contemplations

I’ve named Chapter 10 of Code Orange “Contemplations” because that’s what Mitty does. He

starts out by destroying the scabs he found, as well as the book and envelope. The next morning, he thinks

about what he should do about the virus he may or may not have contracted -- “Tonight he’d tell his

parents what was going on… Then together they’d call the CDC hotline. And he knew… the CDC would

say ‘Hundred-year-old scabs? What a joke!’... Unless they put him in isolation…” (Cooney 113) Mitty

decides to write his parents a letter that ends with this: “There is only one way to be sure I don’t give

anybody this disease… That way is to die before I get sick. Then the virus dies with me.” (Cooney 118)

Part Four

Constructed response one

 The protagonist of the book Code Orange, Mitty Blake, is both a dynamic and round character.

To a stranger, Mitty may seem unconcerned. He listens to music in class and goes to a private school

because he’s rich (rather than religious or smart.) However, he really does care. Mitty has strong opinions

that nobody could hope to change. If he sets his mind on something, he’ll work hard to get the job done --

and he’ll do it well. He calls himself lazy, but he isn’t always that way. He is smart, but he doesn’t brag

about it or show it off. Mitty loves to spend time with people -- “he was taking Spanish… so he wouldn’t

miss out on conversations that didn’t involve him.” (Cooney 69) Mitty’s a dynamic character -- he gains

bravery and loses his lack of initiative. When he comes back into society, those who know what he’s been

through would commend him for his courage.

Constructed response two

The most inspiring quote in Code Orange is the one at the end, that perfect end sentence: “Mitty

sat up in bed and looked out his window at New York City. He couldn’t see much. It was a boring view,

actually. It could have been any city. But it’s my city, though Mitty Blake. And there are no bad guys

dancing in my streets.” Inarticulate though it may be, that quote says that your home may not be perfect,

but it’s yours. If I had to categorize that quote, I’d put it under “Nationalism” or “Pride.” It shows how

much Mitty loves and cares about his country, and that’s what the book is all about.

A theme is a universal message that can relate to anyone and be used for more than one story.

One of the themes of the novel Code Orange is that anyone can be brave. Mitty starts out in the story by

describing himself as lazy and apathetic. “His life plan was to become a rock concert reviewer.” (Cooney

4.) At the end, Mitty nearly commits self-sacrifice to save his country -- the ultimate act of bravery.

People change.