Throughout Allie Condie’s novel, Matched, the prominent theme is the perceived perfection that the Society offers through its rules and restrictions. The Society has implemented a rigorous governing design where individual freedom’s and decisions are non-existent. The goal of the autocratic design is not to provide citizens with the optimal health and happiness as promised, rather it is to control, manipulate, and condition citizens to conform to the Society’s way. This idea is demonstrated through the numerous references to artifacts that belong to some of the residents of Oria. Their symbolism not only aids in revealing the Society’s underlying motives but also demonstrates how the artifacts bring a sense of security and comfort to their
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This is evident through the implementation of rules that are attached to having an artifact, for instance, artifacts are not to be borrowed by others, each one is to be registered and accounted for (Condie 198) and only certain societal classes can own artifacts, Aberrations and Anomalies are forbidden (Condie 199). Furthermore, Cassia warns her brother when she says, “You saw what happened to Papa when the Officials got after him. You don’t want them getting mad at you for breaking the rules about artifacts” (Condie 116). When the Society uncovered from Em that Cassie let her borrow her compact, they decided to confiscate every artifact as seen in this quote: “The Government has decided that artifacts promote inequality among members of Society…We request that everyone turn in their artifacts for catalog and display at the Museum in each City” (Condie 204). This was not an event that required such extreme measures but rather it was a brilliant opportunity for the Society to once again reinforce and exercise their authority. It was never about equality but rather about the Society continuing to weave out every ounce of independence to remind the residents of Oria who is in charge. The citizens were reassured that their beloved artifacts would be safely displayed at the museum but as always, the Society failed to keep its promise when Cassia realizes “that our artifacts will likely never make it into the case. The sign is the only display there may ever be. I don’t know what they’ve done with them” (Condie
This is evident through the implementation of rules that are attached to having an artifact, for instance, artifacts are not to be borrowed by others, each one is to be registered and accounted for (Condie 198) and only certain societal classes can own artifacts, Aberrations and Anomalies are forbidden (Condie 199). Furthermore, Cassia warns her brother when she says, “You saw what happened to Papa when the Officials got after him. You don’t want them getting mad at you for breaking the rules about artifacts” (Condie 116). When the Society uncovered from Em that Cassie let her borrow her compact, they decided to confiscate every artifact as seen in this quote: “The Government has decided that artifacts promote inequality among members of Society…We request that everyone turn in their artifacts for catalog and display at the Museum in each City” (Condie 204). This was not an event that required such extreme measures but rather it was a brilliant opportunity for the Society to once again reinforce and exercise their authority. It was never about equality but rather about the Society continuing to weave out every ounce of independence to remind the residents of Oria who is in charge. The citizens were reassured that their beloved artifacts would be safely displayed at the museum but as always, the Society failed to keep its promise when Cassia realizes “that our artifacts will likely never make it into the case. The sign is the only display there may ever be. I don’t know what they’ve done with them” (Condie