I’m experiencing literal - okay figurative - organ failure right now.”
-- Cal (chapter 3)

Importance: This quote represents the over dramatic and humorous style of language that Stamper uses for the character of Cal. It also represents the breaking of the fourth wall that Stamper does with his reader from Cal’s perspective throughout the book - creating an intimate style that feels like Cal is reporting his life directly to them, and the reader is calling him out for his overdramatic flare. Cal thinks this, and his correction, to himself after he receives the news that not only is his dad the next astronaut on the Orpheus V project, but they are also moving that Monday. This is also a reference to the theme of selfishness, as Cal’s father has applied to the program without telling his family the consequences, and Cal’s frustrations mimic that own selfishness as he does...