The atomic bomb
The atomic bomb symbolized America's scientific revolution in the 19th century. The Manhattan Project was a game changer for the USA in the early 19th century because it aimed to use technological innovations to remain a superpower. The destructive nature of a nuclear weapon created by the Manhattan Project was proved when America attacked Hiroshima and Nagasaki using an atomic bomb.
The symbolism of the memoir’s title
The memoir's title American Prometheus symbolizes everlasting repentance. Prometheus is a Greek titan god who regrets giving humanity the sun's power. In the memoir, Oppenheimer is the titan that regrets carrying the burden of nuclear weapons for his entire life. Initially, Oppenheimer celebrated his achievement in creating the nuclear weapon but later felt remorseful because it could destroy humanity in a blink of a second.
A Bleak Mesa
A bleak Mesa is a symbol of possibilities. One of Oppenheimer's first assignments was to transform the bleak mesa into a nuclear laboratory in New Mexico. Everyone else believed that it was impossible to develop a nuclear lab in the world because of the dangers it posed to its creators. However, Oppenheimer did extensive research and successfully launched the lab, signifying that everything is possible if one is resilient and determined.
