Greens

Greens, or the green uniforms Elliott's cohort wears, symbolize brainwashing. After the associates' minds are wiped, they are dressed in the same attire, given a limited set of vocabulary words, and a single, limiting political message. The author uses the uniforms as a way to comment upon the dangers of heterogenous thought and speech.

Words Worth Knowing

The Program's list of Words Worth Knowing symbolizes propaganda. After the associates' minds are Scraped, they are retaught how to speak using a single list of vocabulary words. The words are few, and their definitions are narrow and biased. The author uses the list to create a commentary on the effects of policing a culture's language, and therefore controlling the population's ability to think and question freely.

Beatdowns

The beatdowns Elliott witnesses and experiences symbolize the past. The first beatdown causes him to remember his name. The second beatdown...