A motif of beauty versus ugliness runs through the novel. Keep track of as many references to this as you find. Think about why the author includes this motif as you do so.

I would consider how beauty and ugliness really represents technology. On the one hand, the book portrays technology and its advancement as a good thing. It is using technology that Marcus is able to gain enough power and ultimately take down the DHS. Apart from the events of the book, there is an overall sense that technology is a good think. Throughout the course of the book, there are a number of complex technological things that are explained and used, most of which Marcus says are beneficial to the users. The book is also seen through the eyes of a technology lover.

On the other side of this argument, though, is the Orwellian-feeling statement that technology is bad. It is using technology that the DHS is able to invade the privacy of virtually every resident of the city where the novel takes place. There are also a number of illegal things that Marcus explains how to do, only possible with technology. This novel offers very relevant commentary because almost all of the technology in the novel exists in our modern world, and could full well be put to use the way it is in Little Brother.