If "liar, liar pants on fire" were true (it's not—it's a lie), in the world of Unwind we'd have a ton of people running around in their underwear. The Bill of Life might as well be called the Bill of Lies. There are so many liars as a result of these laws—parents lying to children, saying they won't be unwound; children lying to parents and every adult they encounter, running away from home and looking for freedom. In other words, pretty much everyone is lying to everyone to save themselves in this book. It's a wonder the world doesn't burst into flames.
Questions About Lies and Deceit
- If you were in Connor's parents' position (well, we hope you wouldn't have your son unwound…) would you deceive him as they do, or would you tell him sooner? Compare his experience to Lev's to support your argument.
- In what instances in Unwind is lying okay? When is it wrong for the characters to lie? Do people ever seem to universally agree about this?
- Would Connor's opinion of the Admiral change if he knew the Admiral was deceiving him? Why or why not?