EI: Functional or Non-Functional

[Art]

I found the amount of variation or mutation within the society in this book really interesting. At first, in the village, I thought I understood how people were classed as functional or non-functional. But then, on meeting Kid Death for the first time, my ideas were turned on their head when (view spoiler)[he said he himself had been called as non-functional. His explanation about having pale skin and gills and being born in a desert was one of my favorite points in the book. (hide spoiler)] The idea that functionality wasn't a definite line, but subjective.

After all evolution is just a series of positive mutations. The ones who are strong survive and the weak (in this case the non-functionals don't)It is just more obvious in this society because of the speed of mutation.

I was just wondering what other people's thoughts on this subject were.

[Caitlin]

I read it as an allegory for people who go against the grain of society. Because I don't want children, I am strange [non-functional] and therefore should be shunned [kaged]. Substitute your difference of choice.
I also see it as a warning that there is a fuzzy line between acceptable and not acceptable, so be careful who you're locking up in an asylum/jail - just because they're different from you doesn't mean they're in need of psychiatric care/need to be punished. (Example: sexual orientation)

[Rob, Roberator]

Caitlin wrote: "I read it as an allegory for people who go against the grain of society. "

Yeah, this is what I took from it too. What is considered normal and "socially acceptable" changes over time, just like the definition of who is functional seems to be changing over time as well.

[Dazerla]

Caitlin wrote: "I read it as an allegory for people who go against the grain of society. Because I don't want children, I am strange [non-functional] and therefore should be shunned [kaged]. Substitute your differ..."

That's a good point, it's hard to see though with all the rest of the symbolism used, at least it was for me.

[Walter]

This was one of the more interesting aspects to me. The concept of genetic worth being as important as gender (with androgyny a common thing) is bizarre to be sure. Most likely like Caitlin said...

Caitlin wrote: "I read it as an allegory for people who go against the grain of society.