You ask your readers if they can account for every minute of their lives, every thought in their heads, and be proud of it. You ask them if they've never jaywalked.... never gone thirty-one miles per hour in a thirty-mile zone... if they've never sped up when they saw that yellow light. And when you find that single, sorry person who hasn't taken a misstep, that one person with the right to judge me, you tell him he's just as human as I am. That tomorrow, his world could turn upside down and he might find himself capable of actions he'd never believed possible... you tell him, he could have been me.
In this excerpt from "Perfect Match" by Jodi Picoult, the author challenges readers to reflect on their lives and recognize their imperfections. She asks whether anyone can account for every minute and thought without regret, highlighting the universal experience of making mistakes, such as minor traffic violations. This exercise serves to remind readers that everyone is flawed and has moments of questionable judgment.
The narrative deepens when the author conveys that even the most judgmental individuals are not immune to error. By questioning those who feel superior, she underscores the precariousness of morality and the potential for anyone to find themselves in situations that test their values. Ultimately, she emphasizes our shared humanity, confronting the notion of perfection and the unpredictability of life.
