The Passage trilogy readalong discussion

What do you feel is the most shocking aspect of the new world?

It's not shocking, exactly, but I`m a little bothered by the isolation of the "littles" for the first eight years of their lives. There's such a strong penalty for making them aware of the reality of life in the colony, so the Household had to feel strongly about it. I can't figure out their motivation, though. What purpose does this cocooning serve? It doesn't seem to be for the children's physical protection, more an emotional shielding. But how can that possibly be beneficial? Life is hard AV, and taking children away from their parents makes it harder; for the parents at first, then for the childen when they are finally released. One day all is warm and fuzzy in the Sanctuary, the next they're told how fragile their existence is and what monsters await outside the walls. That's just brutal. I think if I were a mother I would rebel and try to get the One Law changed.

I can see they do it for the best of kntentions. Sarah (I think) reminisces about the days before she knew the truth, when life ws innocent and carefree. They seperate the kids so everyone has that time to look back on and hold on to, so even if you don't have kids yourself, you would fight harder to save them. Also mayb, to loosen the bond between parent and child so that loosing them is not so devatating. Not for the parent I guess, as a mum myself the loss is too awful to contemplate, but for a child who didn't know their parent that well maybe it's another type of protection?

The one thing that shocks me the most is how alone everyone is. Yes, there are almost 100 people behind those walls, but from the information the Colony has, they believe they're the last people out there. No neighboring village to trade with, no walkers for the past 15+ years and radio silence. I believe that has to put a tremendous amount of pressure on The Household to keep things afloat. If they don't make it, there goes the human race. It's a good motivation but has to be exhausting!



In regards to the comments about the Littles, I believe the Sanctuary has more to do with ensuring the longevity of the human race. If they had the children running around, and there happens to be an attack, you have to run around searching for the children to bring them to safety. Being in one spot ensures a place that you're going to go all out to protect. Also, children are curious. They're going to want to climb up to those posts and see what's going on in the world around them. One Viral makes a good leap and they're gone.

Good points, Joanna and Jess. I didn't think about protecting the child from the loss of a parent, or keeping them corralled in one easy-to-protect place.

The aloneness would be terrible indeed, thinking there was no one "out there." And being trapped inside walls with a small group of people would have to get on the nerves. The normal squabbles people have would be even bigger because of the close quarters and unavoidable contact.

And oh my, they didn't believe the books left behind by the builders were of any use! I just couldn't make it without my books. :-)

I agree with being shocked that the children are separated from their parents for the first 8 years of their life. It's rather disturbing to me altho I can see both pluses and minuses for doing so.
What I find truly shocking is that it is forbidden to even TRY to make contact or see if there are any other survivors. Radio is not even allowed so of course they assume they are alone in the world which might not be entirely true. Why isolate themselves to that extent??

Vanillahugz wrote: "I agree with being shocked that the children are separated from their parents for the first 8 years of their life. It's rather disturbing to me altho I can see both pluses and minuses for doing so...."

You find out in a chapter or two... They were worried about drawing people to the colony and having virals follow them (allegedly). It does, indeed, seem suspicious though... I think that when you read the appendix of the new world, you feel there is a lot of suspicion and hostility in it - death by putting outside of the wall for using a radio!? It seems that someone amongst the first families (maybe many, or even all of them) were rather paranoid (rightly or wrongly) and were willing to seal themselves away. I guess, Wolgast did something similar.

I can't believe how few books there seems to be that people have access to. A librarian so maybe that's why it is so striking to me, but come on now. You couldn't save a set of encyclopedias?

Sheri wrote: "I can't believe how few books there seems to be that people have access to. A librarian so maybe that's why it is so striking to me, but come on now. You couldn't save a set of encyclopedias?"

Exactly, Sheri! I can't believe there wasn't at least one bookworm who said, "hey, these are important!"

Books encourage the individual to think; a thinking, developed mind will naturally question. Such individuals duals would inevitably question The Household, which is one of the last things they'd want. Look at Bradbury's Farenheit 451 and you'll v Ryan quickly see what happens if you remove books.

In answer to the hat shocked me the most about the New World: when the Colony was established, why wasn't even 1 adult left with the youngsters?!

Colette wrote: "Books encourage the individual to think; a thinking, developed mind will naturally question. Such individuals duals would inevitably question The Household, which is one of the last things they'd w..."

I didn't think of the Household wanting to keep thinking to a minimum, Colette. You are absolutely right.

As far as the young kids isolation, I think it was something that was enacted early on as a protective measure but as time went on, and generations passed through the original reasoning was lost on the new generation.

I am only on Chapter 31 (spoiler coming this paragraph) as I write this but I feel like all of them in the Sanctuary together is a huge target. Hope my suspicions don't come to pass.