Panda MacLeod. Period 8

I absolutely agree that Maria and Tom's society has shaped their minds to think the way they do towards Matt. Young children are easily persuaded because they are like dry sponges, soaking up any and everything they see or hear. They are raised in a society where cloning is acceptable for the rich to do, but the rest of society shuns and is repulsed by them. This is because they literally don't have brains! What I do not understand, is how the people who are surrounded by Matt cannot comprehend that he is not one of those clones. He has brains, and uses them!  Even though Maria is raised to believe clones are weird and untouchable, she still has her innocence and curiosity. She appears to be half against, half for Matt. She is his friend but she is always watching him, observing him.  Tom on the other hand is another story. He is jealous, and perhaps a little envious of Matt. He was Maria's "friend" first and feels threatened. It only appears that he is against Matt because of this. He keeps manipulating Maria and trying to "expose" Matt and how he is a clone. Matt is a threat to Tom. Tom most likely would have had all the attention of everyone before Matt came, and now Matt is always on the conversation ballet. Society and culture shapes how children treat others and different situations. You cannot blame the young for being warped into what their society thinks.