Literary Devices in Airborn
Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Setting
Airborn takes place in a kind of alternate dimension of the past, where airships rule the transportation industry rather than regular ships—you know, the kind that travel on water. Picture a mari...
Narrator Point of View
The story is told through the eyes of Matt as he's experiencing it, which makes for some pretty gripping moments. Plus it helps us relate to and invest in him as we get insights into what motivates...
Genre
This is definitely a story of adventure: they're shipwrecked twice, attacked by pirates, held captive by said pirates, escape to beat the pirates… and all while trying to provide proof of a...
Tone
Throughout the book Oppel, writing through the eyes of Matt, maintains a sense of incredulity at the beauty of the world around him. His descriptions of the ship—which to us laypeople might seem...
Writing Style
One of the things that makes this book so readable is the style in which it was written. The prose seems to flow from one thought to another so smoothly that you find yourself following along with...
What's Up With the Title?
As you might have figured out by now, Airborn is a book about flying. The majority of the book occurs around an airship, a creature that's meant to live its life in the sky, and a boy who wishes he...
What's Up With the Ending?
Just then, the Aurora cast off from the Eiffel Tower and was free again, gracefully rising and turning in the wind to begin a new journey. "That's my girl," I said, and took her hand. (21.117)The l...
Tough-o-Meter
The prose of Airborn is easy to read, but there are lengthy descriptions that contain a fair amount of boating vocabulary. If you're a salty dog, then plow on full steam ahead—but if not, maybe b...
Plot Analysis
Hi, I'm Matt, I'll be your Hero TodayWe're introduced to Matt, the intrepid cabin boy, when he's asked to do a daring mid-air rescue of an elderly gentleman in a hot-air balloon (whom we later disc...
Trivia
Airships really exist. 'Nuf said. (Source)