The world Hahp and Sadima inhabit (though separated by many years) in Skin Hunger is one where social standing matters: the rich have it easy while the poor scramble to get by. Rich people in Hahp's time can afford magic to help with every aspect of life, while rich people in Sadima's time get by just like rich people in our world, using money to buy food, possessions, and services. Being born on the streets or into a small farming family basically means that you're playing on hard mode, so good luck with day-to-day survival issues like putting food on the table.
Questions About Society and Class
- What experiences do Sadima and Hahp have in common despite coming from different social classes?
- How has Gerrard's social position affected his performance at the academy?
- If you could give one technological advancement from our world to the lower classes in Sadima and Hahp's world, which would it be and why?
- Why do you think most of the boys admitted to the academy are from the upper classes?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Gerrard's lower-class origins are actually helping him in the academy.
Somiss is incapable of understanding the suffering of others because of his noble background.