Into the Still Blue: (What does the work tell us about how people behave?)

(Ok, this is the third book in a trilogy, so I am warning you now that I will not be typing *SPOILER ALERT* before every sentence. With that, enjoy and please post comments:)!)

What does the work tell us about how people behave?

     Veronica Rossi creates a special emphasis on "behavior" within her books. In particular, she discusses a fictitious mental disorder that some of her characters develop known as DLS (Degenerative Limbic Syndrome). This syndrome causes those who live in the guarded civilizations of the Pods (Pod: think literally a giant bubble separating the citizens from the outside world) to lose control of themselves and enter a state of madness in which they can't be reasoned with.

     One of the characters, Soren, was someone who suffered from DLS when he was exposed to the Outside for the first time. He still shows signs of mental-instability now that he is being forced to live on the Outside after the fall of Reverie.

     "'You heard her!' Soren screamed at the top of his lungs. 'She said put your weapons down!'
...They drew together, back to back, their guns raised...'I told you, weapons down!'
A single pop broke into the air... Soren had fired" (Rossi 98-99)

     In this situation Soren and the others are being confronted by Guardians with weapons and he is going into a state of DLS panic. He fired upon them because they did not respond quickly enough.

     I think that this speaks to how humans in general have very impatient and also impulsive behavioral traits as a whole. When Soren was "backed-into-a-corner" he reacted on a whim and was so terrified that he completely disregarded other human life and placed himself above them. This showcases an unfortunately realistic representation of the less-desirable side of our human nature. Our instincts of self preservation, while rational to ourselves in a life-or-death situation, are a pathetic example of our blatant disregard for others when we fear the safety of our own skin.

     I hope that Soren can eventually overcome his DLS and really become a part of the team. Unfortunately, I have to say that he is not looking too good at the moment.