Inquisition Department

The government’s inquisition department symbolizes authoritarian rule. The novel takes places in a world where the government has outlawed the asking of questions, except as performed by government-sanctioned inquisitors. The government enacts many totalitarian laws, and these restrictions on inquiry allow the government to quash all forms of dissent.

Metcalf’s License

Metcalf’s private inquisitor license symbolizes the desire to act morally within an often-immoral society. After becoming disillusioned with the government’s totalitarian characteristics, Metcalf left the inquisition office to become a private inquisitor. Metcalf’s main motivation in his work is the desire to seek truth and justice. Metcalf is just far enough outside of the system to perhaps enact positive change in spite of the dystopian society in which he lives.

Karma Points

The karma points system symbolizes forced obedience and misuse of justice. The government uses a points system...