Setting and Characters

The beginning of this book it is set in a controlled city that alerts the authorities if any person crosses any boundaries they are not supposed to and everyone adheres to the city's rules and restrictions. Everyone is effectively controlled by the government except for certain uglies who have taken it upon themselves to play tricks on the city and fellow dorm mates. But, none of them have ever done anything major to get into trouble for their actions, its simply a way to spend time before becoming pretty and able to constantly party in Pretty Town. It is after Tally and Shay decide to sneak out of the city limits and visit the Rusty Ruins that they begin to become braver in their actions and more creative in their tricks. They enjoy sneaking out and tempting fate to catch them and realize there is life outside of the strictly controlled society. But, its not until Shay decides to run away and Tally is forced to find the Smoke for Special Circumstances that her attitude and personality change also. Once the Specials force her to find the renegades or not allow her to have the operation, Tally realizes just how much everyone is controlled by them. It takes her a long time to come to this conclusion and it was only after she learned how to work, make decisions for herself, and decided that maybe she is pretty the way she is. She also learns that being an individual and not what everyone else thinks you should be is more important to her. Tally realizes this in the wilderness away from society. Its wild, free, and able to clear her head and force her to think for herself.
Tally is an innocent embarking on a journey when she is forced by Dr. Cable to find the Smoke and the society free from a strictly controlled government. The main setting is the city but its when she arrives in the civilization separate from everyone telling you how to look, act, and live your life. Its the freedom from society that allows Tally to make her own decision and its the wilderness and forest lifestlye that changes her view of life.