In Jodi Picoult's novel "House Rules," the idea of complacency in decision-making is highlighted through a character's confrontational questioning. The quote suggests a sense of frustration at someone who has resigned themselves to a negative outcome without even attempting to seek a different possibility. It raises the importance of effort and the willingness to challenge assumptions instead of accepting them blindly.

This theme resonates throughout the book, illustrating how preconceived notions can limit individual potential and the outcomes of situations. It emphasizes the need for taking proactive steps rather than succumbing to defeatist attitudes, prompting readers to reflect on their own choices and the assumptions they might be making in their lives.