Action and Consequence

The novel is invested in exploring the idea that all actions have consequences. Characters in this novel are responsible for their own fates, and they bring about their future through actions that they do not necessarily realize will have such a large impact on the future. The Chief sums this up best when he discusses the outcome of Merritt and her case with his niece Chloe: “I just want you to realize, Chloe, that every single decision you make--who your friends are, who you date, whether you decide to smoke or drink--has a consequence. I think that Merritt, ultimately, was the victim of her own poor choices” (437). Here, we see that, though Merritt was a victim in some senses, she is ultimately held accountable for her actions by the Chief, who is the ultimate authority figure in the novel.

Merritt’s death is the...