Stay in School and Don't do Drugs!

After reading Tenth of December's "Escape from Spiderhead", one can't help asking the question, "What in the world did I just read?"  Even though on the outside, George Saunders' short story may only seem like its only recurring motifs are sex and drugs, I believe that the author had a much greater expectation for the interpretation of his story.  For example, the story sparks thought-provoking questions in the reader, such as, "What would I do if I were in Jeff's situation?"  Even though Saunders chose to describe some of the more explicit scenes in excruciating detail, the main idea of the story might be seen as the concept of free will, something which Jeff didn't believe he had in the story until he made his own decisions at the end of the story.  Overall, Saunders' "Escape from Spiderhead" is a perplexing tale that's sure to draw the reader in no matter what they think the plot is.