As the novel begins, Senator Paul Thurman tells Donald Keene that he should learn to deny the truth and lies equally. Thurman says, “[Y]ou have to deny each lie and every truth with the same vinegar” (14). As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that Thurman is an expert at this way of dealing with the truth. He gives Donald all the information he needs to see the end coming, but this information is so wrapped up in conspiracy theories and lies that Donald can’t see the real truth until it’s too late.

This theme of hiding the truth in plain sight continues throughout the novel. Each of the silos has the truth. The heads of IT are given access to books: The Order and Legacy. Both these books outline the truth of how the silos came to be, the world left behind, and the future that will one day be available to only one silo. However, it’s so disguised in protocol and missing facts that the silo heads can’t put together enough of the puzzle pieces to understand the full truth without a little help. The only one who gets close to the truth on his own is Lukas from Silo 18.