Novel Study - Unwind - Part 1, Triplicate

How much brainwashing do you think has happened for teenagers to make this sort of claim as they’re being led to their "death"?

- I think quite a lot of brainwashing has been done as these kids are entirely convinced that they are being sent to their deaths. I think these kids are brainwashed by each other as no one actually know if these kids are alive

Why, do you think, has Shusterman chosen to have three characters tell their story?

- I think he chose to have 3 different people tell their stories to show their different viewpoints on unwinding. Two of the characters have the same idea about unwinding whereas the other has a religious view on it. I think it also has 3 characters stories because it also shows that no matter your status you can still have the same fate. Money and status don’t matter in this world.

Lev is a tithe. This means that he is the 10% that his family will give back to the church as an offering. What are your thoughts on this?

- In my opinion, I think this is kinda messed up as Lev as has been forced into this lifestyle. He has believed his whole life that this is all he has been born for and believes this is the life he should be living. I feel like he should’ve been able to choose if he really wanted to do this instead of being brainwashed.

Rita is a state home kid - she was unwanted at birth, and now the state has decided she is no longer useful. Do you think that the state should ever be able to determine if one life is more useful than another?

- I don’t think that should be possible for the government to dictate whether one life is more important than another. My reasoning is from human rights, In the document, it states that everyone is entitled to live and that they are protected by the law. Human rights can't be ignored because they are Human Rights, they aren't able to be changed as every human being should be entitled towards it. If the state were able to determine whether a life is useful or not, they are breaching an extremely important document which could lead to massive problems.

Connor's parents have chosen to unwind him due to his difficult behaviour. They have then booked a ticket to the Bahamas. In your opinion, how do parents view their children? Why do you think this?

- In my opinion, I believe that parents view each of their children differently depending on their age as when they have more children they think differently. If they have more kids they view them all different as they are all different ages and different genders. Adults base their opinions on how older children around them act. I think like this based on how my parents act around me and my siblings. They treat my older siblings differently than they do to me.

Pastor Dan presents as being conflicted. What reasons might he have to encourage Lev in his journey as a tithe? Why does he encourage him to run?

- I think Pastor dan encourages Lev to leave as he understands that lev has a lot to live for and shouldn't waste it by giving his body to be dissected by the government. I think he also encourages him to run as he might've known someone like Lev before lev was born but he was also unwound so he doesn't want the same thing happening to Lev, he always gets too attached.