Persuasive Essay On Bar Code Tattoos

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to go against something you believe in? In the novel, The Bar Code Tattoo, by Suzanne Weyn, is a story about a girl named Kayla, whose life changes after a choice she makes. In the story, the society has a new system to control people and the government requires people to have a bar code tattoo. However, not everyone agrees or follows the rule about getting a bar code tattoo. Kayla makes a choice that does not follow the rules and her choice has dangerous consequences.

The novel is set in the future near New York City, it is 2025 and the United States is controlled by the government. People are required to get bar code tattoos on their wrist, which will have their personal information like financial and medical records. In the beginning of the story, people had the option to get these tattoos, but as the rebel groups started to grow. The government started to make getting these tattoos a requirement for everyone. “It’s the law, Mom. Haven’t you heard? I could be arrested now for not having a bar code!” (pg. 118) Kayla, the main character, is …show more content…
Kayla could not decide if she should get a bar code tattoo or not, because she had some questions. “Even though she saw tattoos everywhere, they continued to fascinate her. How bizarre to be branded like a box of cereal. Didn't people mind being counted as just one more product on a shelf? There had to be more to a person than that.” (pg. 4) Kayla knew the reason for the tattoo but had some questions of why it was needed since they already did eye scans. There was a group of kids at school, who were completely against the idea of the bar code tattoo and she went to them to talk about the tattoo. Once she met with the group, Kayla knew that her feelings against getting the tattoo was the right thing. Though it is the right thing to do, does not mean it was right