Chapters 1-2 This community is very rule based. "For a contributing citizen to be released from the community was a final decision, a terrible punishment, and overwhelming statement of failure."(Lowry 2-3)
Chapters 3-5 Differences are ignored or changed. "It was the sort of thing one didn't ask a friend about because it might have fallen into that uncomfortable category of being "different"."(Lowry 38)
Chapters 6-8 The assigning process is very scientific. "Finally the Chief Elder paid tribute to the hard work of her committee, which had performed he observations so meticulously all year."(Lowry 52)
Chapters 9-12 Freedom can be scary. "He had never, within his memory, been tempted to lie. Asher did not lie. Lily did not lie. His parents did not lie. No one did. Unless..."(Lowry 71)