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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 7: Day 4

    by Lu, Marie

    The chap­ter opens with the pro­tag­o­nist being released from the hos­pi­tal after a mys­te­ri­ous inci­dent that has sparked wide­spread rumors. Despite offi­cial attempts to down­play the sit­u­a­tion, the pub­lic remains skep­ti­cal. The pro­tag­o­nist enjoys a qui­et day at home with his younger broth­er, Eden, who is blind but finds joy in build­ing robots with high-tech cubes pro­vid­ed by the Repub­lic. The pro­tag­o­nist reflects on the Republic’s unex­pect­ed gen­eros­i­ty toward Eden, won­der­ing if it stems from guilt or the influ­ence of June, a key fig­ure in his life.

    Eden’s per­cep­tive­ness becomes evi­dent as he teas­es the pro­tag­o­nist about his feel­ings for June, not­ing how his tone changes when think­ing about her. Their play­ful ban­ter reveals Eden’s grow­ing curios­i­ty about June and her sig­nif­i­cance in their lives. The pro­tag­o­nist avoids delv­ing into the com­pli­cat­ed his­to­ry between June and their fam­i­ly, offer­ing only vague answers. The ten­sion esca­lates when June calls, prompt­ing the pro­tag­o­nist to arrange a meet­ing away from Eden, hint­ing at unre­solved emo­tion­al and prac­ti­cal con­cerns.

    June arrives at the apart­ment, and her inter­ac­tion with Eden is warm yet tinged with under­ly­ing ten­sion. Eden’s cheer­ful demeanor and can­did remarks about the protagonist’s admi­ra­tion for June light­en the mood, but the pro­tag­o­nist quick­ly redi­rects the con­ver­sa­tion to avoid fur­ther embar­rass­ment. June’s sug­ges­tion of grab­bing din­ner togeth­er hints at her desire to recon­nect, though her sub­dued expres­sion sug­gests deep­er con­cerns. The protagonist’s teas­ing about a poten­tial date momen­tar­i­ly light­ens the atmos­phere, but June’s reac­tion remains guard­ed.

    As they leave the apart­ment, the pro­tag­o­nist and June nav­i­gate the snowy streets, blend­ing into the crowd to avoid atten­tion. The chap­ter ends with a vivid descrip­tion of the win­try cityscape, adorned with Repub­lic ban­ners cel­e­brat­ing Anden’s birth­day. The jux­ta­po­si­tion of their per­son­al tur­moil against the back­drop of a polit­i­cal­ly charged envi­ron­ment under­scores the ongo­ing ten­sion between their pri­vate lives and the larg­er forces at play. The chap­ter leaves their con­ver­sa­tion unre­solved, set­ting the stage for fur­ther devel­op­ments.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does the protagonist’s relationship with June create tension in this chapter, and what does Eden’s awareness of this dynamic reveal about their family situation?

      Answer:
      The protagonist’s complicated relationship with June creates tension through his reluctance to fully explain her significance to Eden, despite the boy’s persistent curiosity. Eden’s perceptive comment about his brother’s voice changing when thinking of June (“You always change your voice”) reveals both the intimacy of their sibling bond and the fractures in their family history. The protagonist’s avoidance of discussing June’s connection to “the rest of our family” suggests unresolved trauma related to their parents’ fate under the Republic. This tension is compounded when June arrives—her formal interaction with Eden contrasts sharply with the protagonist’s internal conflict about their romantic connection versus their political histories.

      2. Analyze how sensory details in the hospital recovery scene establish both comfort and underlying unease. What literary techniques contribute to this duality?

      Answer:
      The scene employs contrasting sensory imagery to create duality: the “luxury of a non-hospital bed” and Eden’s joyful robotics play establish domestic comfort, while the “light, slushy snow” outside introduces a sense of impermanence and cold. Tactile details like Eden “feeling for the windowsill” emphasize his vulnerability, contrasting with his technical skill shown through the JumboTron robot. The warmth of sibling banter (“You’re thinking about her again”) is undercut by the protagonist’s concealed facial expressions (“glad Eden can’t see my expression”). This juxtaposition of cozy interiors against harsh weather and hidden emotions foreshadows the impending difficult conversation about the protagonist’s health prognosis.

      3. What does the Republic’s treatment of Eden reveal about the political dynamics at play, and how might this relate to broader themes in the novel?

      Answer:
      The Republic’s gifts of advanced robotics kits to Eden—a working-class child—demonstrate a calculated political strategy. These gestures could represent genuine atonement (Anden’s guilt over his father’s actions), strategic cultivation of a prodigy’s loyalty, or June’s personal influence. The text notes these are items “only ever seen upper-class kids own,” highlighting systemic inequality. This dynamic reflects broader themes of power and reconciliation, as the regime simultaneously provides for Eden while suppressing news about the protagonist’s illness. The tension between genuine care and political manipulation is underscored by Eden’s innocent enjoyment of the gifts versus the adults’ awareness of their symbolic weight.

      4. How does the author use dialogue to characterize Eden’s development since his brother’s time on the streets, and what implications does this have for their relationship?

      Answer:
      Eden’s dialogue showcases remarkable maturation—from a “quiet kid” to one who is “stubborn and headstrong,” teasing his brother about June with perceptive remarks (“It’s so obvious”). His technical vocabulary (“magnetic Light cube,” “JumboTron Man”) demonstrates intellectual growth, while his physical comedy (mock flexing) retains childlike charm. This development creates new relational dynamics: Eden now challenges his brother’s evasiveness, forcing more equal communication. Their banter about June reveals Eden’s emotional intelligence, as he recognizes romantic tension despite his blindness. This sets up future conflicts where Eden may demand fuller truths about their family and the protagonist’s health, testing their bond.

      5. Evaluate how the final walking scene uses environmental details to mirror the protagonists’ emotional states and foreshadow future developments.

      Answer:
      The closing drizzle scene serves as a pathetic fallacy reflecting the protagonists’ concealed turmoil. The “thickening” precipitation mirrors their unspoken words about the illness, while practical precautions (hidden faces, high collars) symbolize emotional barriers. Red Republic banners and Anden’s birthday symbols create ironic contrast—celebratory decor against their somber conversation. The slush’s tactile intrusion (“tickling my eyelashes”) parallels how reality interrupts their tentative romance. Most significantly, June’s visible breath (“clouds of steam”) contrasts with the protagonist’s internalized suffering, foreshadowing how his health crisis may soon become unavoidably visible despite their current attempts to maintain normalcy during this “date.”

    Quotes

    • 1. “I’ve seen the news cycles try to hide it twice already. I was in the hospital for a standard checkup; I was in the hospital to visit my brother. All sorts of goddy stories. But no one’s buying it.”

      This quote highlights the protagonist’s awareness of the Republic’s propaganda machine attempting to downplay his hospitalization, illustrating the tension between truth and controlled narratives in their society.

      2. “If there’s one good thing about the Republic, it’s that they indulge Eden’s love for building stuff. Every other week we seem to get some new contraption that I’ve only ever seen upper-class kids own.”

      This passage reveals a rare positive aspect of the Republic’s treatment of the brothers, while also underscoring the class disparities that normally define their world.

      3. “You’re thinking about her again, aren’t you? You always change your voice.”

      Eden’s perceptive comment about his brother’s feelings for June demonstrates their close relationship and Eden’s emotional intelligence despite his blindness, while hinting at the unresolved romantic tension.

      4. “I’ve yet to talk with him about June and her connection to the rest of our family—another good reason to stay away from her.”

      This internal reflection reveals the protagonist’s struggle with his family history and his complicated relationship with June, showing how past trauma continues to affect present relationships.

      5. “It seems like during the time I’d spent living on the streets, I’d been missing out on seeing Eden blossom. Quiet kid turned stubborn and headstrong. Can’t imagine how he inherited that.”

      This observation about Eden’s growth serves as both a touching sibling moment and a subtle character revelation, showing how the narrator recognizes his own traits in his younger brother.

    Quotes

    1. “I’ve seen the news cycles try to hide it twice already. I was in the hospital for a standard checkup; I was in the hospital to visit my brother. All sorts of goddy stories. But no one’s buying it.”

    This quote highlights the protagonist’s awareness of the Republic’s propaganda machine attempting to downplay his hospitalization, illustrating the tension between truth and controlled narratives in their society.

    2. “If there’s one good thing about the Republic, it’s that they indulge Eden’s love for building stuff. Every other week we seem to get some new contraption that I’ve only ever seen upper-class kids own.”

    This passage reveals a rare positive aspect of the Republic’s treatment of the brothers, while also underscoring the class disparities that normally define their world.

    3. “You’re thinking about her again, aren’t you? You always change your voice.”

    Eden’s perceptive comment about his brother’s feelings for June demonstrates their close relationship and Eden’s emotional intelligence despite his blindness, while hinting at the unresolved romantic tension.

    4. “I’ve yet to talk with him about June and her connection to the rest of our family—another good reason to stay away from her.”

    This internal reflection reveals the protagonist’s struggle with his family history and his complicated relationship with June, showing how past trauma continues to affect present relationships.

    5. “It seems like during the time I’d spent living on the streets, I’d been missing out on seeing Eden blossom. Quiet kid turned stubborn and headstrong. Can’t imagine how he inherited that.”

    This observation about Eden’s growth serves as both a touching sibling moment and a subtle character revelation, showing how the narrator recognizes his own traits in his younger brother.

    FAQs

    1. How does the protagonist’s relationship with June create tension in this chapter, and what does Eden’s awareness of this dynamic reveal about their family situation?

    Answer:
    The protagonist’s complicated relationship with June creates tension through his reluctance to fully explain her significance to Eden, despite the boy’s persistent curiosity. Eden’s perceptive comment about his brother’s voice changing when thinking of June (“You always change your voice”) reveals both the intimacy of their sibling bond and the fractures in their family history. The protagonist’s avoidance of discussing June’s connection to “the rest of our family” suggests unresolved trauma related to their parents’ fate under the Republic. This tension is compounded when June arrives—her formal interaction with Eden contrasts sharply with the protagonist’s internal conflict about their romantic connection versus their political histories.

    2. Analyze how sensory details in the hospital recovery scene establish both comfort and underlying unease. What literary techniques contribute to this duality?

    Answer:
    The scene employs contrasting sensory imagery to create duality: the “luxury of a non-hospital bed” and Eden’s joyful robotics play establish domestic comfort, while the “light, slushy snow” outside introduces a sense of impermanence and cold. Tactile details like Eden “feeling for the windowsill” emphasize his vulnerability, contrasting with his technical skill shown through the JumboTron robot. The warmth of sibling banter (“You’re thinking about her again”) is undercut by the protagonist’s concealed facial expressions (“glad Eden can’t see my expression”). This juxtaposition of cozy interiors against harsh weather and hidden emotions foreshadows the impending difficult conversation about the protagonist’s health prognosis.

    3. What does the Republic’s treatment of Eden reveal about the political dynamics at play, and how might this relate to broader themes in the novel?

    Answer:
    The Republic’s gifts of advanced robotics kits to Eden—a working-class child—demonstrate a calculated political strategy. These gestures could represent genuine atonement (Anden’s guilt over his father’s actions), strategic cultivation of a prodigy’s loyalty, or June’s personal influence. The text notes these are items “only ever seen upper-class kids own,” highlighting systemic inequality. This dynamic reflects broader themes of power and reconciliation, as the regime simultaneously provides for Eden while suppressing news about the protagonist’s illness. The tension between genuine care and political manipulation is underscored by Eden’s innocent enjoyment of the gifts versus the adults’ awareness of their symbolic weight.

    4. How does the author use dialogue to characterize Eden’s development since his brother’s time on the streets, and what implications does this have for their relationship?

    Answer:
    Eden’s dialogue showcases remarkable maturation—from a “quiet kid” to one who is “stubborn and headstrong,” teasing his brother about June with perceptive remarks (“It’s so obvious”). His technical vocabulary (“magnetic Light cube,” “JumboTron Man”) demonstrates intellectual growth, while his physical comedy (mock flexing) retains childlike charm. This development creates new relational dynamics: Eden now challenges his brother’s evasiveness, forcing more equal communication. Their banter about June reveals Eden’s emotional intelligence, as he recognizes romantic tension despite his blindness. This sets up future conflicts where Eden may demand fuller truths about their family and the protagonist’s health, testing their bond.

    5. Evaluate how the final walking scene uses environmental details to mirror the protagonists’ emotional states and foreshadow future developments.

    Answer:
    The closing drizzle scene serves as a pathetic fallacy reflecting the protagonists’ concealed turmoil. The “thickening” precipitation mirrors their unspoken words about the illness, while practical precautions (hidden faces, high collars) symbolize emotional barriers. Red Republic banners and Anden’s birthday symbols create ironic contrast—celebratory decor against their somber conversation. The slush’s tactile intrusion (“tickling my eyelashes”) parallels how reality interrupts their tentative romance. Most significantly, June’s visible breath (“clouds of steam”) contrasts with the protagonist’s internalized suffering, foreshadowing how his health crisis may soon become unavoidably visible despite their current attempts to maintain normalcy during this “date.”

    Note