The Testing

The United States of America has a long history of colonies and colonists. What does the novel’s use of this terminology do to influence the reader’s understanding of this world, its structures, and its beliefs?

The Seven Stages War is a speculative third World War. The novel heavily invests in discussing the damage such a war would cause to the planet. Discuss how this novel does or does not qualify as one contributing to the conversation about climate change and other environmental concerns.

Environmental inequality and injustice are growing topics of discussion. This involves, for example, the greater likelihood of people who live in poverty being housed in areas with contaminated air and water. Consider the mutated humans within the context of this discussion: What role do they serve in the bigger picture of the novel?