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    Champion

    by Lu, Marie
    “Champion” by Marie Lu is the gripping conclusion to the Legend trilogy, a dystopian series set in a divided future America. The story follows prodigy June Iparis and former criminal Day as they navigate political turmoil, war, and personal sacrifices. Key themes include loyalty, power, and the cost of revolution. As tensions escalate between the Republic and its enemies, June and Day must confront their pasts and make difficult choices to save their nation. The novel explores the complexities of leadership and the blurred lines between right and wrong, delivering a thought-provoking and action-packed finale. Lu’s world-building and character development shine, making “Champion” a standout in young adult dystopian literature.
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    Champion

    Chapter 6: June 3

    by Lu, Marie

    The chap­ter opens with Anden inform­ing June that Cap­tain Thomas Bryant, a con­demned pris­on­er, has request­ed to see her as his final wish before exe­cu­tion. Despite her exhaus­tion and unease, June agrees, dri­ven by the pos­si­bil­i­ty that Thomas may reveal details about her broth­er Metias’s death. The exchange high­lights June’s inter­nal conflict—her lin­ger­ing anger and curios­i­ty bat­tling her reluc­tance to face Thomas. Anden assures her she can refuse, but June steels her­self, deter­mined to hear what­ev­er Thomas has to say, even as she dreads the encounter.

    Upon arriv­ing at the Den­ver State Pen­i­ten­tiary, June is escort­ed through a stark, high-secu­ri­ty wing reserved for high-pro­file pris­on­ers, includ­ing those involved in the assas­si­na­tion plot against Anden. The atmos­phere is tense and fore­bod­ing, with armed guards and cold flu­o­res­cent light­ing ampli­fy­ing the grav­i­ty of the sit­u­a­tion. June’s ana­lyt­i­cal mind notes the cell dimen­sions and secu­ri­ty mea­sures, a cop­ing mech­a­nism to main­tain com­po­sure. Her resolve is test­ed when she encoun­ters Com­man­der Jame­son, her brother’s killer, who taunts her with chill­ing remarks about their sim­i­lar­i­ties and the Republic’s impend­ing down­fall. June con­fronts Jame­son with defi­ance, but the encounter leaves her shak­en.

    June pro­ceeds to Thomas’s cell, where she finds him disheveled yet main­tain­ing his dis­ci­plined demeanor. Despite his impend­ing exe­cu­tion, Thomas remains stead­fast in his loy­al­ty to the Repub­lic, address­ing June with for­mal respect. Their inter­ac­tion is marked by an uneasy silence before June encour­ages him to speak freely. Thomas reveals his inten­tion to dis­close the full truth about Metias’s death, acknowl­edg­ing his debt to June. This moment under­scores the com­plex­i­ty of their relationship—June’s lin­ger­ing sym­pa­thy for Thomas’s unwa­ver­ing loy­al­ty clash­es with her grief and anger over her brother’s mur­der.

    The chap­ter ends with June grap­pling with the emo­tion­al weight of Thomas’s impend­ing con­fes­sion. Though she ques­tions whether reliv­ing Metias’s death will bring clo­sure, she rec­og­nizes the impor­tance of hear­ing the truth for her brother’s mem­o­ry. Thomas’s will­ing­ness to share his account before his exe­cu­tion adds a lay­er of poignan­cy, as June pre­pares to con­front a painful past. The encounter sets the stage for a rev­e­la­tion that could reshape her under­stand­ing of Metias’s death and her own path for­ward.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What conflicting emotions does June experience when she agrees to meet Thomas, and what does this reveal about her character?

      Answer:
      June feels a mix of panic, anger, sadness, and reluctant sympathy when facing Thomas’s request. While she dreads confronting her brother’s killer alone, she steels herself with the possibility he may reveal truths about Metias’s death. Her willingness to meet him despite personal turmoil demonstrates her commitment to closure and justice. The text notes her irritation at feeling sympathy for Thomas’s unwavering loyalty to the Republic, highlighting her internal conflict between personal grief and professional duty. This complexity reveals June as emotionally resilient yet deeply principled, prioritizing truth even when painful.

      2. Analyze the significance of Commander Jameson’s interaction with June. How does this encounter contribute to the chapter’s tension?

      Answer:
      Commander Jameson’s taunting remarks (“We’re the same, you and I”) and unnerving smile escalate psychological tension, forcing June to confront her fears about Metias’s death and her own moral compass. Jameson’s claim that June might “turn out just like me” introduces a thematic tension about legacy and corruption. The encounter also contrasts with Thomas’s later demeanor—where Jameson is manipulative and cold, Thomas is remorseful and restrained. This juxtaposition deepens the chapter’s exploration of guilt, power, and redemption while heightening suspense about Thomas’s impending revelation.

      3. How does the setting of the prison reflect the political themes of the chapter?

      Answer:
      The sterile, fluorescent-lit prison with portraits of Anden lining the walls symbolizes the Republic’s authoritarian control. The cell descriptions (32×32 feet, bulletproof glass) emphasize surveillance and isolation, mirroring the regime’s suppression of dissent. Notably, the floor houses only those linked to Anden’s assassination plot, underscoring the state’s prioritization of political threats over common criminals. This setting reinforces themes of power and punishment, illustrating how the Republic uses physical and psychological confinement to maintain order, as seen in Thomas’s unwavering loyalty despite his impending execution.

      4. Why might Thomas insist on sharing the details of Metias’s death with June, and what ethical dilemma does this pose for her?

      Answer:
      Thomas likely seeks absolution or aims to honor Metias’s memory by ensuring June knows the full truth, as he states, “If anyone should know, it’s you.” This forces June to weigh her need for closure against the emotional toll of reliving trauma. The dilemma lies in whether knowledge will empower or haunt her—while she owes it to Metias to understand his fate, the details may exacerbate her grief. The scene positions truth as both a burden and a necessity, reflecting the novel’s broader tension between justice and emotional survival.

      5. Compare June’s demeanor during her encounters with Commander Jameson and Thomas. What does this reveal about her relationship with each character?

      Answer:
      With Jameson, June is visibly shaken but defiant, snapping back with venomous retorts—a reaction rooted in hatred for her brother’s killer. In contrast, her tone with Thomas is measured, even sympathetic, as she permits him to sit comfortably and listens without interruption. This dichotomy shows June’s capacity to separate personal vendetta (Jameson) from nuanced judgment (Thomas). Her ability to engage Thomas calmly despite his crimes suggests she recognizes his remorse and the complexity of his loyalty, revealing her growth beyond black-and-white morality.

    Quotes

    • 1. “‘Well,’ she says in a low voice. ‘If it isn’t Iparis, come here to see us.’ […] ‘You were one of my favorites. Do you know why I was so interested in having you on my patrol? It’s because I saw myself reflected in you. We’re the same, you and I.’”

      This chilling exchange between June and Commander Jameson reveals the manipulative and psychologically unsettling dynamic between them. It underscores the theme of legacy and fear, as Jameson taunts June with the idea that she might follow in her footsteps.

      2. “‘Better be careful, Iparis,’ she whispers. ‘You might turn out just like me.’”

      A haunting warning from Commander Jameson that lingers with June (and the reader), encapsulating the chapter’s tension between past actions and future consequences. This quote highlights the psychological warfare and the deep-seated fears June must confront.

      3. “‘It’s the duty of a Republic soldier to be loyal to the end, and I’m still a soldier. I will be one until I die.’”

      Thomas’s unwavering loyalty to the Republic, even in the face of his impending execution, reveals the complex morality and rigid structure of the society they live in. This quote is pivotal in understanding his character and the sacrifices made in the name of duty.

      4. “‘I want to tell you the full details of everything that happened to Metias that night at the hospital. I just feel … I feel like I owe it to you. If anyone should know, it’s you.’”

      This moment marks a turning point in the chapter, as Thomas seeks to provide closure for June about her brother’s death. It underscores themes of guilt, redemption, and the weight of truth, setting up a deeply emotional confrontation.

    Quotes

    1. “‘Well,’ she says in a low voice. ‘If it isn’t Iparis, come here to see us.’ […] ‘You were one of my favorites. Do you know why I was so interested in having you on my patrol? It’s because I saw myself reflected in you. We’re the same, you and I.’”

    This chilling exchange between June and Commander Jameson reveals the manipulative and psychologically unsettling dynamic between them. It underscores the theme of legacy and fear, as Jameson taunts June with the idea that she might follow in her footsteps.

    2. “‘Better be careful, Iparis,’ she whispers. ‘You might turn out just like me.’”

    A haunting warning from Commander Jameson that lingers with June (and the reader), encapsulating the chapter’s tension between past actions and future consequences. This quote highlights the psychological warfare and the deep-seated fears June must confront.

    3. “‘It’s the duty of a Republic soldier to be loyal to the end, and I’m still a soldier. I will be one until I die.’”

    Thomas’s unwavering loyalty to the Republic, even in the face of his impending execution, reveals the complex morality and rigid structure of the society they live in. This quote is pivotal in understanding his character and the sacrifices made in the name of duty.

    4. “‘I want to tell you the full details of everything that happened to Metias that night at the hospital. I just feel … I feel like I owe it to you. If anyone should know, it’s you.’”

    This moment marks a turning point in the chapter, as Thomas seeks to provide closure for June about her brother’s death. It underscores themes of guilt, redemption, and the weight of truth, setting up a deeply emotional confrontation.

    FAQs

    1. What conflicting emotions does June experience when she agrees to meet Thomas, and what does this reveal about her character?

    Answer:
    June feels a mix of panic, anger, sadness, and reluctant sympathy when facing Thomas’s request. While she dreads confronting her brother’s killer alone, she steels herself with the possibility he may reveal truths about Metias’s death. Her willingness to meet him despite personal turmoil demonstrates her commitment to closure and justice. The text notes her irritation at feeling sympathy for Thomas’s unwavering loyalty to the Republic, highlighting her internal conflict between personal grief and professional duty. This complexity reveals June as emotionally resilient yet deeply principled, prioritizing truth even when painful.

    2. Analyze the significance of Commander Jameson’s interaction with June. How does this encounter contribute to the chapter’s tension?

    Answer:
    Commander Jameson’s taunting remarks (“We’re the same, you and I”) and unnerving smile escalate psychological tension, forcing June to confront her fears about Metias’s death and her own moral compass. Jameson’s claim that June might “turn out just like me” introduces a thematic tension about legacy and corruption. The encounter also contrasts with Thomas’s later demeanor—where Jameson is manipulative and cold, Thomas is remorseful and restrained. This juxtaposition deepens the chapter’s exploration of guilt, power, and redemption while heightening suspense about Thomas’s impending revelation.

    3. How does the setting of the prison reflect the political themes of the chapter?

    Answer:
    The sterile, fluorescent-lit prison with portraits of Anden lining the walls symbolizes the Republic’s authoritarian control. The cell descriptions (32×32 feet, bulletproof glass) emphasize surveillance and isolation, mirroring the regime’s suppression of dissent. Notably, the floor houses only those linked to Anden’s assassination plot, underscoring the state’s prioritization of political threats over common criminals. This setting reinforces themes of power and punishment, illustrating how the Republic uses physical and psychological confinement to maintain order, as seen in Thomas’s unwavering loyalty despite his impending execution.

    4. Why might Thomas insist on sharing the details of Metias’s death with June, and what ethical dilemma does this pose for her?

    Answer:
    Thomas likely seeks absolution or aims to honor Metias’s memory by ensuring June knows the full truth, as he states, “If anyone should know, it’s you.” This forces June to weigh her need for closure against the emotional toll of reliving trauma. The dilemma lies in whether knowledge will empower or haunt her—while she owes it to Metias to understand his fate, the details may exacerbate her grief. The scene positions truth as both a burden and a necessity, reflecting the novel’s broader tension between justice and emotional survival.

    5. Compare June’s demeanor during her encounters with Commander Jameson and Thomas. What does this reveal about her relationship with each character?

    Answer:
    With Jameson, June is visibly shaken but defiant, snapping back with venomous retorts—a reaction rooted in hatred for her brother’s killer. In contrast, her tone with Thomas is measured, even sympathetic, as she permits him to sit comfortably and listens without interruption. This dichotomy shows June’s capacity to separate personal vendetta (Jameson) from nuanced judgment (Thomas). Her ability to engage Thomas calmly despite his crimes suggests she recognizes his remorse and the complexity of his loyalty, revealing her growth beyond black-and-white morality.

    Note