Ally Condle’s Matched intrigued me with her thoughts of another utopian society
that begins to turn dystopic.
One possible theme for this novel
remains that humanity at best simply is imperfect. Cassia, the main character in the novel, has
been matched with her ideal mate, her friend from her own living area. Then, when she inserts her microcard, she
sees a face, a face that is not Xander’s but Ky’s; thus, the breakdown in this
perfect society begins as Cassia realizes that not all is perfect within her
world.
Condle’s writing style draws the
reader into this world that she has created by creating much dialogue, vivid
descriptions, and her diction (word choice) assists in moving the plot along
quickly. For instance, one can hardly
turn a page without a conversation occurring, which keeps the characters’
voices very alive. The author also chooses
to relate this story in first person point of view, thus allowing the readers
into the head, the very active house of Cassia’s many thoughts and turmoil.
The setting for the novel, as
stated above, is a utopic society some time in the future, a time in which the
older members can still recall memories from the reader’s culture. For instance, Ky has access to the language
in the form of poetry, words that appeal very much to Cassia, words that also
cause her to further question her society. Another way, the setting affects Cassia is
that it allows Ky and her to meet as they perform their outside activities,
walking and climbing up and down a hill, an exercise at which both Ky an Cassia
both excel. Thus, this setting, this
supposedly perfect world, does directly affect the characters.
This novel reminds me of The Hunger Games, a novel that is also initially
bases on a perfect world that quickly is portrayed as a dystopia. Katness, the main character in The Hunger
Games, and Cassia both display similar characteristics, determination and a
devotion to family. Both novels are set
in worlds that exist in the future, and, of course, in both novels, the girls
have to choose between two boys. Oh, the
love triangle!
