The 100

The planet Earth acts as a symbol that supports the novel’s focus on The Impact of External Change on Internal Growth. For Bellamy, Clarke, and Wells, Earth offers an opportunity for a fresh start, allowing them to escape the pressures of the oppressive council. Freed from cruel social expectations and laws, they begin to learn what it means to be human, and they experience the original place where humans were meant to be. This situation results in different transformations for each of them; Bellamy becomes a survivalist, Clarke becomes a medic, and Wells strives to be a genuine leader. In this way, the setting of Earth represents the idea that the same basic change in circumstances can have different effects on different people. 

Beyond its effects on the characters, the Earth’s history within the story also suggests that in many ways, humanity has not changed since the Cataclysm. Prior to this disastrous event, the Earth’s governing powers were engaged in nuclear war, fighting over power and resources. However, in the narrative present, the council remains just as corrupt as the old Earth social systems, working solely to cement its own power at the expense of its most vulnerable citizens.