Summary
Swipe is a dystopian novel set in a future where the United States has been disbanded in favor of the American Union. In this current society, in order to obtain citizenship a person must pledge and receive The Mark sometime after their thirteenth birthday. The Mark gives a person the power to get a job, house, and pay for everyday items. It essentially gives the person who receive it basic human rights and those that don't have to live their life in poverty as markless. These group of people have no legal way to sustain themselves and resort to low level crimes such as stealing to survive.
The story follows a young boy, Logan, who is about to pledge but is skeptical about doing so. This is because when his sister went to pledge herself, she did not come back. The government informed them that this is an extremely rare occurrence yet it has been happening more and more each year. Along with this, Logan has always had the fear that he is being watched since his sisters disappearance. Because of this he lives his life in constant fear until a girl named Erin moves into their city. They become friends and then began to question what is really going on due to information she learned while looking through her dad's classified work information. This leads to a series of events where the two learn of a mysterious man named Peck, who has been suspected of kidnapping children before they pledge.
Because they believe that he is the one spying on Logan, they go find where he and his helpers have been hiding. After being caught, Logan learns from Peck that the people that do not make it past their pledge day all have something in common. They think differently and the government does not want these type of people changing their perfect society. After learning this information, Logan decides to go to his pledge anyway to learn what happens to those that do not meet the standards to receive The Mark. Somehow after leaning his sister is still alive in the city Beacon, Logan escapes and makes his way to the city to find his sister.
The story follows a young boy, Logan, who is about to pledge but is skeptical about doing so. This is because when his sister went to pledge herself, she did not come back. The government informed them that this is an extremely rare occurrence yet it has been happening more and more each year. Along with this, Logan has always had the fear that he is being watched since his sisters disappearance. Because of this he lives his life in constant fear until a girl named Erin moves into their city. They become friends and then began to question what is really going on due to information she learned while looking through her dad's classified work information. This leads to a series of events where the two learn of a mysterious man named Peck, who has been suspected of kidnapping children before they pledge.
Because they believe that he is the one spying on Logan, they go find where he and his helpers have been hiding. After being caught, Logan learns from Peck that the people that do not make it past their pledge day all have something in common. They think differently and the government does not want these type of people changing their perfect society. After learning this information, Logan decides to go to his pledge anyway to learn what happens to those that do not meet the standards to receive The Mark. Somehow after leaning his sister is still alive in the city Beacon, Logan escapes and makes his way to the city to find his sister.
Themes
Finding the truth:
People have a tendency to believe something as long as the majority of people do. No matter how obscure the idea is. It takes people willing to question if what they are doing is right and who are will to go out and find the truth.
People have a tendency to believe something as long as the majority of people do. No matter how obscure the idea is. It takes people willing to question if what they are doing is right and who are will to go out and find the truth.
Knowing your values:
There are times where people do not know what decision to make. It is during these times, that understanding your core beliefs will benefit you. Constantly straying away from what you believe in is no way to live your life.
There are times where people do not know what decision to make. It is during these times, that understanding your core beliefs will benefit you. Constantly straying away from what you believe in is no way to live your life.
Security over freedom:
What is more important. Knowing you are safe, or having the opportunity to chose for yourself. Given the right situation people will give up their freedom in order for them to be protected from harm.
What is more important. Knowing you are safe, or having the opportunity to chose for yourself. Given the right situation people will give up their freedom in order for them to be protected from harm.
"It's usually easier to ask for forgiveness than permission"(106).
I chose this quote because of how relatable it is. Almost everyone can agree that this is true in most situations. Why would someone ask a question when they know the answer is going to be a know. Instead, they might as well go through with it and see what happens. The odds are the punishment is going to be less severe if no one has told you know in the first place.
Argument
Survival is one of humans most powerful drives. Humans will even resort to giving up their basic human rights in order to obtain a sense of security and safety.