Morris should have functioned perfectly in the rigid totalitarian society of the future where every thought, evey word, every action was controlled by the superstate. A state where everyone was watched night and day by the Great Eye of the internal security forces,

It was a strange, in many ways inhuman world, but the rewards were great for those who belonged to the right caste.

Morris belonged to the master class which ruled the entire world by brain power or brutality depending on which was needed. Morris was born right at the top — he had everything the Technate Society could provide — and yet he didn't belong.

Nonconformity could mean liquidation, but he was prepared to take the risk.