Fallout

Scott is the 11-year-old protagonist of Fallout, and his adolescent perspective serves as the primary lens through which the narrative unfolds. Scott embodies the intersection of childhood innocence and growing maturity, and his life transition from adolescence to incipient adulthood is profoundly influenced by the dire issues that characterize Cold War-era America. Scott’s curiosity is manifested in his questions about the fallout shelter, nuclear war, and adult relationships, and his need to learn and understand the world drives much of the pre-attack narrative. This inquisitiveness also highlights the contrast between his childlike perspective and the gravity of the broader political situation.

In the pre-attack timeline, Scott tries to navigate typical adolescent challenges against the backdrop of looming global conflict. His interactions with his friends— particularly Ronnie—reveal the tensions between maintaining childhood friendships while grappling with more mature concerns. Scott’s growing awareness of sexuality, as evidenced by his crush on Linda Lewandowski and his discomfort with Ronnie’s misbehavior around girls and women, illustrates the differing ways in which boys experience puberty. Additionally, Scott’s relationship with his parents undergoes significant strain as he becomes increasingly cognizant of their fears and disagreements about the nuclear threat.