In this high-tech science fiction novel, there seems to be an emphasis on punishment. It seems rather severe of a consequence for death to be \u201cthe accepted punishment for laziness, carelessness, lack of grace, the failure to heed the demands of an intricate protocol.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Linda Lee originally tells Case that Wage wants him dead, his reaction is much more composed than a typical person\u2019s reaction would be in this day and age. Linda tells Case that \u201ctoo many people owe him,\u201d and he \u201cseriously better watch it.\u201d Case responds by saying \u201cSure. How about you Linda? You got anywhere to sleep.\u201d He completely ignores the warning and brings up a subject that is inconsequential in comparison. In fact, everybody in this society seems to accept death as a typical occurrence.<\/p>\n
Death is hinted everywhere in many mundane things in this civilization, such as sleeping arrangements. It is ironic that Case rents a coffin to sleep in because it goes along with the themes of death and punishment. It could even be implying that he may as well be dead. Especially since death is even more commonplace among those who are involved in the black market.<\/p>\n
Out of confusion and concern that he is going to be killed, Case goes to Julius Dean for information. Dean treats the conversation as if it is as trivial as if they were \u201cdiscussing the price of ginger.\u201d Potential death as punishment is nothing new.<\/p>\n
Punishment and poverty seem to run hand in hand. Case turned on the people he was hired to work for. As a punishment they crippled his nervous system. Case lies to Linda when he gives her money and says he has more coming. In the state he was in at that point he was incapable of earning an income. Case could not work because of his injuries and he was, therefore, unable to make a living for himself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In this high-tech science fiction novel, there seems to be an emphasis on punishment. It seems rather severe of a consequence for death to be \u201cthe accepted punishment for laziness, carelessness, lack of grace, the failure to heed the demands of an intricate protocol.\u201d When Linda Lee originally tells Case that Wage wants him dead,<\/p>\n