Prodigy
Chapter 18: Day 9
by Lu, MarieThe chapter opens with the protagonist grappling with guilt after yelling at June, though they refuse to apologize. Their anger stems from June’s dismissive attitude toward money, which triggers memories of childhood poverty—specifically, a moment when their younger brother, Eden, was caught stealing leftover food. The protagonist recalls taking the blame for Eden, enduring punishment to protect him. This fuels their resentment toward June, who has never experienced such hardship, and toward the Republic, which they believe has failed people like them.
The protagonist’s frustration escalates as they reflect on their failed mission to assassinate the Elector, a plan that could have destabilized the Republic. They feel betrayed by June’s interference and despair over their inability to rescue Eden. As they pack supplies for their journey through the tunnel to the Colonies, they question whether they’ll find help or face further danger. The weight of their failures leaves them feeling trapped and hopeless.
June reappears, offering technical observations about the tunnel’s power source, but the protagonist responds with indifference. When June shifts the conversation to combat techniques, her awkward attempt at reconciliation irritates the protagonist further. Despite their anger, they recognize her effort to mend the rift between them. June’s critique of their fighting style—pointing out their reliance on arm strength rather than leveraging their speed and balance—highlights her analytical nature and military training.
The chapter ends with a tense but collaborative moment as June begins teaching the protagonist combat strategies. Their dynamic remains strained, yet there’s an underlying willingness to work together. The protagonist’s sarcasm and June’s persistence reveal their contrasting personalities, but the shared goal of survival forces them to navigate their unresolved conflict. The interaction hints at the complexity of their relationship, blending resentment with reluctant trust.
FAQs
1. How does the narrator’s childhood memory of Eden and the beef hash incident reveal the socioeconomic struggles of their family?
Answer:
The memory highlights the family’s extreme poverty and food insecurity. When four-year-old Eden is caught eating their precious leftovers (half a can of beef hash), he bursts into tears, fearing punishment. The narrator protects Eden by taking the blame, resulting in their mother’s slap and John’s disappointment. This moment underscores the constant scarcity they faced—where even small amounts of food were carefully rationed. The narrator’s anger at June’s dismissal of money’s importance stems from these lived experiences of deprivation, contrasting sharply with June’s privileged background.2. Analyze the narrator’s conflicted emotions toward June after their argument. How does this tension manifest in their interactions?
Answer:
The narrator feels simultaneous resentment and lingering attraction toward June. While angry at her privileged perspective (“Has June ever had to worry about stealing half a can of beef hash?”), he still notices physical reactions like goose bumps when she brushes past him. Their exchange about fighting techniques becomes an awkward attempt at reconciliation—June critiques his form to indirectly apologize, while he reluctantly engages, acknowledging her effort (“At least she’s giving it a shot, however crappy she is at it”). This push-pull dynamic reflects unresolved emotional stakes between them.3. What broader political implications does the narrator associate with the failed assassination attempt?
Answer:
The narrator views the Elector’s survival as a missed opportunity for revolution, believing the assassination could have been the “spark that lit a powder keg” to overthrow the Republic. He cynically dismisses promises to free Eden as lies, anticipating the Elector will become as oppressive as his father. Additionally, he worries about repercussions from the Colonies, who sponsored the attack. This reveals his disillusionment with both regimes—he sees the Republic as irredeemable but distrusts the Colonies’ motives, leaving him in a precarious position with no clear allies.4. How does the shelter’s infrastructure provide clues about the characters’ next steps?
Answer:
June discovers the shelter’s power cables run toward the Colonies, confirming the tunnel likely leads there. This practical detail shapes their plan: they’ll follow the cables to the surface, though the narrator worries about maintaining a low profile given their role in botching the Colonies-backed assassination. The shelter also becomes a temporary training space—June uses its main room to teach combat techniques, emphasizing the need to prepare for potential encounters with soldiers during their escape.5. Evaluate how the narrator’s fighting style, as described by June, reflects his survival instincts and background.
Answer:
June notes the narrator relies on arm strength rather than leveraging his natural agility (“swinging from your legs and hips”). This suggests he fights reactively, prioritizing immediate survival over technique—a likely result of his street upbringing where quick, desperate actions were necessary. However, June highlights his untapped potential (“flawless balance”), implying his skills are instinctual but unrefined. His defensive remark (“Does it look like I’ve had free time in my life to read?”) further underscores how his impoverished past shaped his pragmatic, improvisational approach to conflict.
Quotes
1. “I’d said it—the words that have been stewing in my head for weeks. They’re out now, and there’s no going back.”
This quote captures the protagonist’s moment of emotional release and the irreversible nature of confronting painful truths. It represents a turning point in the character’s internal conflict and relationships.
2. “Has June ever had to worry about stealing half a can of beef hash? If she’d been poor, would she be so quick to forgive the Republic?”
This powerful rhetorical question highlights the central theme of class disparity and how personal experience shapes political perspectives. It underscores the protagonist’s resentment and the fundamental divide between characters.
3. “That’s the story of my life, yeah? On the run.”
This brief but impactful statement summarizes the protagonist’s perpetual state of instability and survival. It reflects the cyclical nature of their struggles and the weariness that comes with constant fleeing.
4. “If this is your way of apologizing after a fight, then you really suck at it.”
This blunt observation reveals the tension and imperfect attempts at reconciliation between characters. It showcases their strained relationship dynamics and differing communication styles.
5. “You forget all about your speed advantage and your center of mass.”
This practical combat advice serves as a metaphor for the character’s larger struggle to utilize their innate strengths effectively. It represents both literal skill development and broader themes of self-awareness.