The Selection Theme of Society and Class

The dystopian future-state of Illéa does not seem like a fun place to live. For starters, the country imposes a hyper-strict caste system, which limits the jobs people can do, the places they can live, and even the people they can love. And that's just the start of it. As we dive deeper into this icky country, we realize that it's an honest-to-goodness totalitarian state—like if Big Brother were into Renaissance fairs instead of science fiction. Yikes. The Selection gives us a perspective on Illéan society that you're not going to find in their tourism brochures.

Questions About Society and Class

  1. What is the purpose of the Illéan caste system?
  2. In what ways is America treated as inferior because of her caste?
  3. Will Illéan society improve with Maxon's new food program? Why or why not?
  4. Does Illéa's history explain anything about its society?