Slavery In Lauren Destefano's 'Wither'

Have you ever imagined of a life where your every move is controlled and there are no choices? In a futuristic world, people are forced to live in a mansion and treated as slaves. In Wither, by Lauren Destefano, a virus is spreading to young men who are turning 25 and women who are turning 20. Rhine is a teenage girl who is kidnapped by a scientist named Vaughn, and she’s given to his son as a wife. His son, Linden, has three wives already. Rhine is forced to marry Linden and is trapped within Vaughn’s mansion. Although she is treated to beautiful clothing and delicious foods, she can’t live her own life and she is held captive. Other characters are held captive as well. Gabriel, a servant, doesn’t even remember life outside of the mansion. He has always been in the service of Vaughn’s family. In these ways, Gabriel, Rhine, and others are treated as slaves. Although their slavery is not based on color or race, it is a world of slavery nonetheless. …show more content…
Rhine and the sister wives have to marry Linden. Vaughn controls the sister wives’ every move. The sister wives are told what clothing they can wear. They are not allowed to choose their own vows on their wedding day or their hairstyles. The sister wives are only allowed to stay on their floor. Rhine tried to escape the mansion, but she got caught and drugged. Rhine has given up making choices for herself. Rhine says nervously, “I don’t argue when I’m told to get into the tub” (pg. 20). She doesn’t argue because she has to obey orders. Rhine feels trapped inside her room. “and budding roses, and they remind me of the bars of a prison cell” (pg.9). This wallpaper makes Rhine feel like a prisoner. She hates it so much. She feels that she’s trapped inside a box like a slave. The sister wives are forced to get pregnant by Linden.That is a form of slavery. In fact, “Sister wives can’t enter each other’s bedroom without permission”