How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
[…] our information intake is much more specific. Nutrition specialists don't need to know how to program air trains, for example, and programmers, in turn, don't need to know how to prepare food. Such specialization helps keep people from being overwhelmed. (3.55)
Let's be real, Cassia—it's not about being overwhelmed; it's about power. The Society retains its power by ensuring that no citizen has sufficient skills to survive on their own without Society's help.
Quote #2
I peel back the foilware and look at my portion. Next to Xander's, it seems miniscule. Maybe I'm making this up, but my portions seem to be smaller lately. […]
It must be my imagination. (17.53-54)
It's not your imagination, Cassia—food portioning is yet another way the Society wields power by controlling and restricting access to food for all citizens. They can also increase stress strategically in citizens by lessening their portions.
Quote #3
"The Society decided that they needed to give Sisyphus a punishment, a special one, because he dared to think he could be as clever as one of them." (21.29)
The story of Sisyphus is an example of Society shutting down and punishing anyone who dares defy them. Sisyphus tries to outwit Society and ends up with a horrific life sentence, so the lesson here is don't try to outsmart the Society. If you do, you will be punished.