Shared and Unique Themes in Orb: On the Movements of the Earth and Classic Literary Works

A comparative educational resource examining how Orb: On the Movements of the Earth connects to enduring literary themes such as knowledge versus authority, extremism, and the beauty of scientific truth. The document helps high school students recognize how anime and literature alike reflect universal human struggles. It also introduces new perspectives, such as communal research, gender bias in academia, and the aesthetics of discovery, enriching cross‑disciplinary understanding.

1. Themes in Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
Compared to Classic Literature
An Educational Analysis for 12th Grade Students
Introduction and Educational Purpose
This document helps 12th-grade students and educators explore how contemporary anime/manga
themes connect to classic literary themes, deepening understanding of universal human experiences
across cultures and time periods. By comparing themes from Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
with familiar concepts from traditional literature, students can:
• Identify universal themes that transcend cultural and temporal boundaries
• Analyze how different mediums (anime/manga vs. novels/plays) explore similar human
concerns
• Connect historical themes to contemporary social and political issues
• Develop critical thinking skills through comparative analysis
• Recognize unique perspectives that expand traditional literary curricula

This analysis builds upon your knowledge of thematic analysis, symbolism, and literary interpretation
from previous courses, encouraging you to think beyond surface-level plot to understand how stories
reflect deeper truths about human nature and society.

SHARED THEMES: Orb and Classic Literature
The following themes appear in both Orb and traditional high school literature, demonstrating how
certain human concerns persist across cultures and time periods.
Theme in Orb Comparable
Theme in
Literature
Example
Works
Why This Connection
Matters
Modern Parallel

2. Science vs.
religious
authority
Faith vs. doubt The Crucible,
Inherit the Wind
Both explore how
institutions resist new
ideas that challenge their
power
Climate change
debates, vaccine
misinformation
Pursuit of
forbidden
knowledge
Knowledge vs.
ignorance; hubris
and overconfidence
Frankenstein Characters risk
everything for truth,
facing consequences of
dangerous discoveries
Genetic engineering,
AI development ethics
Individual vs.
institutional
oppression
Man vs. society 1984,
Fahrenheit 451
Protagonists challenge
systems that control
information and punish
dissent
Social media
censorship, academic
freedom debates
Sacrifice for truth Courage and
perseverance
To Kill a
Mockingbird,
Antigone
Characters choose
principles over personal
safety, inspiring others
Whistleblowers,
investigative
journalists
Power and
corruption of
authority
Power and
corruption
1984, Animal
Farm
Institutions abuse power
to "keep the world small
and base so that it is
easy to control"
Political
authoritarianism,
corporate
manipulation
Life and death
consequences of
beliefs
Life and death Romeo and
Juliet, Hamlet
Characters face
execution for their
convictions, exploring
ultimate stakes of moral
choices
Political persecution,
religious extremism
Gender
discrimination in
academia
Change vs. tradition Pride and
Prejudice, A
Doll's House
Jolenta's struggles reflect
ongoing conflicts between
progressive ideals and
traditional barriers
Women in STEM,
workplace gender
equality
Cyclical
transmission of
knowledge
Survival of ideas Fahrenheit 451,
The Book Thief
Knowledge persists
across generations
despite systematic
suppression
Preserving cultural
memory, digital
archives
Beauty of
scientific truth
Beauty and truth The Picture of
Dorian Gray
Characters pursue
astronomy for its
"aesthetic beauty" and
transformative power
Science
communication,
STEM education

3. Betrayal within
families
Betrayal and loyalty Hamlet, King
Lear
Potocki reporting Rafal
creates tragic family
conflicts over competing
loyalties
Family political
divisions, generational
conflicts
Extremism and
radicalization
Fanaticism and
mob mentality
The Crucible,
Lord of the
Flies
Both Church authorities
and radical scholars can
become extreme;
violence and dogmatism
are critiqued
Political polarization,
online radicalization,
religious extremism

Special Focus: The Extremism Theme
What makes Orb's treatment of extremism unique:
• Shows extremism on both sides: Church authorities AND some progressive scholars become
fanatical
• Demonstrates how good intentions can lead to violent outcomes
• Reveals how fear and uncertainty drive people toward extreme positions
• Models how empathy and dialogue can counter extremist thinking
Modern Relevance:
• Political polarization: How people on opposite sides of issues can become equally extreme
• Online radicalization: How echo chambers amplify extremist viewpoints
• Social movements: How legitimate causes can sometimes attract extremist elements
• Media manipulation: How authorities use fear to justify extreme measures
Discussion Questions:
1. How does Orb show that extremism isn't limited to "bad guys" but can affect anyone under
pressure?
2. What parallels do you see between the Church's extreme measures and modern examples of
institutional overreach?
3. How does the series suggest we can recognize and resist extremist thinking in ourselves and
others?

4. UNIQUE THEMES: What Orb Brings to Literature Study
The following themes appear prominently in Orb but are rarely explored in traditional high school
literature, offering opportunities to expand students' thematic understanding.
Unique Theme in
Orb
Description Why This Matters for
Students
Connection to Other
Subjects
Beauty of
scientific truth
Characters pursue astronomy not
just for practical knowledge but for
the inherent beauty of cosmic
order
Shows science as an
aesthetic, inspirational
pursuit beyond mere
utility
Art class (scientific
illustration), Physics
(elegance of natural laws)
Economic
pragmatism vs.
intellectual
idealism
Draka's focus on wealth for tribal
survival contrasts with Rafal's pure
pursuit of knowledge
Reflects real tensions
students face between
practical career choices
and intellectual interests
Economics (survival needs
vs. growth), Psychology
(motivation theory)
Communal nature
of research
Knowledge advances through
collective effort across
generations, with each researcher
building on predecessors
Challenges the "lone
genius" myth; shows
how real scientific
progress works
History (collaborative
movements), Science
(peer review, research
teams)
Unquenchable
human curiosity
The idea that curiosity will "sneak
even into the darkest places"
despite violent suppression
Presents curiosity as an
unstoppable, universal
human drive rather than
just a character trait
Psychology (intrinsic
motivation), Anthropology
(human nature)
Historical erasure
of marginalized
voices
Systematic removal of women and
outcasts from scientific records,
though their contributions endure
Introduces concepts of
historiography and bias
in how we remember the
past
Social Studies (primary
sources), Women's
Studies (hidden figures)
Methodical pace of
scientific progress
Breakthroughs come through
"dozens of smaller failures" rather
than sudden dramatic revelation
Promotes realistic
understanding of how
research and discovery
actually work
Science classes (scientific
method), Study skills
(persistence, iteration)
Faith vs. different
interpretations of
faith
Religious characters advocate for
change vs. status quo, both
claiming divine authority
Models nuanced
religious discourse
beyond simple "science
vs. religion" binary
Religion/Philosophy
classes, Current events
(religious political
movements)
Symbolic contrast
of warm vs. cold
light
Fire represents
oppression/destruction while blue
starlight represents pure
knowledge and discovery
Uses sophisticated
visual metaphors rarely
found in traditional
literature curriculum
Art (color theory,
symbolism), Film studies
(visual storytelling)

5. VISUAL ANALYSIS: Symbolism in Orb
Light as Metaphor
Orb uses a sophisticated system of visual metaphors through different types of light:
• Fire/Warm Light: Represents institutional power, oppression, and destruction
o Examples: Torches during persecutions, burning of books, inquisition scenes
o Literary Parallel: The fire imagery in Fahrenheit 451 representing censorship
• Blue Starlight/Cold Light: Represents pure knowledge, truth, and discovery
o Examples: Characters looking up at stars, astronomical observations, moments of
scientific insight
o Literary Parallel: The "light of truth" metaphor in various works, but with more specific
visual execution
Discussion Question: How do these visual metaphors enhance the thematic content? What other
works use light/darkness symbolism, and how does Orb's approach compare?

CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE: Connecting Themes to Today
Academic Freedom and Knowledge Suppression
• Historical Context: Church suppression of heliocentric theory
• Modern Parallel: Debates over teaching evolution, climate science, or critical race theory
• Student Connection: How do you evaluate conflicting sources of information in our digital age?
Gender and Professional Barriers
• Historical Context: Jolenta as the only woman in astronomical research
• Modern Parallel: Underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, #MeToo movement
• Student Connection: How do you navigate environments where you might be the only person
like you?
Authority vs. Individual Conscience

6. • Historical Context: Characters choosing personal convictions over institutional loyalty
• Modern Parallel: Whistleblowing, civil disobedience, social media activism
• Student Connection: When should you stand up for your beliefs, even at personal cost?
Extremism and Polarization
• Historical Context: Both Church authorities and some scholars becoming fanatical in their
approaches
• Modern Parallel: Political polarization, online echo chambers, radical movements on all sides
• Student Connection: How do you maintain balanced perspectives in highly polarized
environments?

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES AND EXTENSIONS
Comparative Analysis Activities
1. Theme Tracking Chart: Create a visual chart tracking one theme across Orb, a classic work,
and a contemporary example
2. Modern Adaptation Project: Write a short story or create a presentation showing how one of
Orb's unique themes might appear in a modern setting
3. Debate Activity: Stage a debate between characters from different works who represent
opposing sides of the same theme
4. Symbol Analysis: Compare the use of light/darkness symbolism in Orb with another work that
uses similar imagery
5. Extremism Analysis: Research how extremism manifests in different contexts (historical,
literary, contemporary) and compare the warning signs and consequences
Creative Projects
1. Character Interview: Write an interview between a character from Orb and a character from
classic literature who share similar themes

7. 2. Modern News Report: Create a news report covering events from Orb as if they were
happening today, highlighting relevant contemporary issues
3. Visual Metaphor Portfolio: Create artwork or digital media showing how Orb's unique themes
might be visually represented
4. Anti-Extremism Campaign: Design a public awareness campaign using insights from Orb
about how extremism develops and spreads
Research Extensions
1. Cross-Cultural Theme Study: Investigate how cultures other than European/American
traditions approach the same themes
2. Contemporary Case Studies: Research modern examples of the themes explored in Orb and
classic literature

ASSESSMENT AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Analytical Thinking
• What makes certain themes "universal"? Why do the same concerns appear across different
cultures and time periods?
• How does the medium (anime/manga vs. novel vs. play) affect how themes are presented and
received?
• Which of Orb's unique themes do you think should be included more often in literature curricula,
and why?
• How does Orb's nuanced portrayal of extremism differ from more black-and-white treatments in
other works?
Personal Connection
• Which character's struggle with competing loyalties (family vs. conscience, safety vs. truth) most
resonates with your own experiences?
• How might understanding these themes help you navigate challenges in your own academic or
personal life?

8. • What modern examples of these themes do you see in your daily life, news, or social media?
• How can you recognize and resist extremist thinking in yourself and others?
Critical Evaluation
• How does Orb's historical setting make its themes more or less relevant to contemporary
issues?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using anime/manga to explore serious literary
themes compared to traditional texts?
• How do the unique themes in Orb challenge or expand your understanding of what literature can
accomplish?

CONCLUSION AND EDUCATIONAL VALUE
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth offers rich opportunities to explore both timeless and unique
themes that expand traditional literary study. By comparing its themes to classic literature, students
develop:
Enhanced Critical Thinking Skills
• Ability to identify patterns across different cultural contexts
• Understanding of how medium affects message
• Recognition of contemporary relevance in historical themes
• Nuanced understanding of extremism and how to counter it
Cultural and Historical Awareness
• Appreciation for how human concerns transcend time and culture
• Understanding of how marginalized voices contribute to knowledge
• Recognition of ongoing struggles for intellectual freedom
• Awareness of how extremism develops in different contexts
Personal Growth and Empathy
• Connection between historical struggles and contemporary challenges

9. • Understanding of moral complexity in human motivation
• Development of empathy for characters facing difficult choices
• Tools for resisting polarization and maintaining balanced perspectives
Academic Preparation
• Practice with comparative analysis techniques
• Experience with visual literacy and symbol interpretation
• Integration of multiple subject areas (literature, history, science, art)

The themes explored in Orb both connect to familiar literary territory and open new avenues for
understanding human experience. This combination makes it particularly valuable for 12th-grade
students preparing for college-level analysis while grappling with questions about authority,
knowledge, identity, and moral courage that will follow them throughout their lives.
By engaging with these themes through both traditional and contemporary lenses, students develop
the critical thinking skills and cultural awareness essential for informed citizenship in a complex,
interconnected world—particularly the ability to recognize and resist extremist thinking while
maintaining empathy for different perspectives.