In his novel Unwind, Neal Shusterman offers a unique perspective on the possible outcome of our society’s disagreement on ethical issues, specifically directed towards the debate on abortion. Shusterman portrays the aftermath of a second civil war, in which the process of unwinding, a term disguising the harsh reality of dismembering children, is born. This form of retroactive abortion proved to be the only measure that would restore peace to the nation, however flawed and drastic it seemed to both the public and the authorities. The process of unwinding presented in the novel is an unjust and unrealistic solution to the problems prevalent in today’s society, serving only to further exacerbate the tension and issues throughout the
country; …show more content…
The children escaping their own unwinding are forced to question the American government’s ethics, wondering “How can you pass laws about things that nobody knows?” (172), emphasizing the irresponsible ambiguity of the system. In fact, Shusterman presents unwinding as the cause of further debates on ethics and morality, proposing the idea that the solution to the Heartland War was a mere detriment to the progression of society. For example, the use of organs from unwinds quickly out-dates the medical procedures we use today to heal identical injuries. When the Admiral is taken to the hospital it is a challenge to convince the nurses to perform the necessary operation to save his life without giving him a heart transplant, seen when Shusterman exaggerates “at least she’s still close enough to medical school to remember what that is” (255). This emphasizes the reliance on the availability of healthy organs, which creates a perpetual cycle of harvesting and transplanting; this ultimately proposes a detriment to the advancement of society, an idea Shusterman …show more content…
Lev also conveys with the readers his “fury at a universe pretending to be fair and just” (327). Along with the clear flaws in the system of unwinding, Shusterman uses the perspective of his young characters to explore relevant issues to today’s society. When Connor is being transported to the
Graveyard, he is forced to consider topics such as unwinding and abortion with the three other boys in his crate. While they discuss issues regarding unwinding, Shusterman puts an emphasis on the topics discussed that are relevant today, specifically when the official life of a human being begins. Emby represents the present day pro-life argument, while Connor takes the side of pro-choice, stating that a soul “comes when a baby’s born into the world” (173). Hayden admits to having started “our own little Heartland War” (173), paralleling the boys’ discussion with the current debate on the ethics of abortion. Shusterman is not trying to express his personal beliefs through the boys’ discussion; rather, he is attempting to represent the widespread,
country; …show more content…
The children escaping their own unwinding are forced to question the American government’s ethics, wondering “How can you pass laws about things that nobody knows?” (172), emphasizing the irresponsible ambiguity of the system. In fact, Shusterman presents unwinding as the cause of further debates on ethics and morality, proposing the idea that the solution to the Heartland War was a mere detriment to the progression of society. For example, the use of organs from unwinds quickly out-dates the medical procedures we use today to heal identical injuries. When the Admiral is taken to the hospital it is a challenge to convince the nurses to perform the necessary operation to save his life without giving him a heart transplant, seen when Shusterman exaggerates “at least she’s still close enough to medical school to remember what that is” (255). This emphasizes the reliance on the availability of healthy organs, which creates a perpetual cycle of harvesting and transplanting; this ultimately proposes a detriment to the advancement of society, an idea Shusterman …show more content…
Lev also conveys with the readers his “fury at a universe pretending to be fair and just” (327). Along with the clear flaws in the system of unwinding, Shusterman uses the perspective of his young characters to explore relevant issues to today’s society. When Connor is being transported to the
Graveyard, he is forced to consider topics such as unwinding and abortion with the three other boys in his crate. While they discuss issues regarding unwinding, Shusterman puts an emphasis on the topics discussed that are relevant today, specifically when the official life of a human being begins. Emby represents the present day pro-life argument, while Connor takes the side of pro-choice, stating that a soul “comes when a baby’s born into the world” (173). Hayden admits to having started “our own little Heartland War” (173), paralleling the boys’ discussion with the current debate on the ethics of abortion. Shusterman is not trying to express his personal beliefs through the boys’ discussion; rather, he is attempting to represent the widespread,