Science fiction stories frequently have some kind of disaster andthen the reaction of human kind to that disaster. Robert O'Brienhas created two extreme characters: Ann Burden, a nurturing,kind and loving girl; and Mr Loomis a cold, distant and bitter man. The author has very cleverly made the names of the characters correspond to their personality. Ann Burden: lifting the burden of the world. Mr Loomis: looming, mysterious and sinister. These contrasting characters are the essence of this science fiction novel. Z for Zachariah, because of its characters, is the perfect example of a good science fiction novel.
We are set up with a very happy and optimistic young girl who lives in her peaceful valley. In this valley she runs her own farm and looks after all her animals. Everything Ann does, eventhe smallest of things, develops her character into the nurturing and thoughtful girl she is.
"...and then I saw it: a small, rumpled black thing - a babycrow...I watched it and it watched me, with very lovely smallblack eyes."
Evil starts to take over. When Mr Loomis comes to Ann's valley, she is scared and hides in a secret cave.
"I am afraid. Someone is coming"
Mr Loomis becomes sick and although she didn't know who he was or where he came from, Ann still nursed him back to health. Here, the author shows Ann's character as someone who can look after and help other people.
We are then introduced to Mr Loomis, a figure who arrives at Ann's valley. He comes in his red suit and sets up his camp. Loomis becomes sick and even when he is almost dead in bed there is always something sinister about this man. In his dreams he talks out aloud and Ann hears him talking about a man named Edward. Edward was going to steal the suit, so Mr Loomis shot him and killed him.
"No. I warn you. I will shoot. The suit will stop radiation, but it won't stop bullets."
This makes Mr Loomis' character even more harmful, for Ann now knows that he is a murder...