Prodigy
Chapter 19: June 10
by Lu, MarieThe chapter opens with June, severely ill and disoriented, being carried by Day as they cross into the Colonies. Despite her exhaustion, she pushes forward, supported by Day’s encouragement. They arrive at a bustling warfront city, its skyline dominated by towering buildings adorned with unfamiliar flags and advanced fighter jets. The city’s technological superiority over the Republic is evident, particularly in its air force capabilities, with jets designed for vertical takeoffs and landings. The scene sets the stage for a stark contrast between the Republic and the Colonies.
As they navigate the crowded streets, June observes the chaotic vibrancy of the Colonies. Neon lights tint the faces of civilians and soldiers, while walls are plastered with overwhelming advertisements promoting everything from schools to holidays. The ads lack the uniformity of the Republic’s propaganda, suggesting a decentralized or corporate-run society. June is particularly struck by the commercialization of services like policing and healthcare, which are branded under corporate names, hinting at a society where corporations hold significant power.
Day remarks on the city’s glittering appearance, echoing his father’s description, but both are baffled by the ads’ disorderly nature. June notes the absence of a central government aesthetic, further emphasizing the Colonies’ divergence from the Republic. They encounter bizarre ads, including one for “SwapShop,” which seems to commodify children, deepening June’s confusion about the Colonies’ social structures. A recurring symbol in the ads reveals the four major corporations governing the Colonies, reinforcing the theme of corporate dominance.
The chapter takes a tense turn when Day suspects they’re being followed, though the pursuer vanishes into the crowd. Their paranoia is compounded by the unfamiliar, overwhelming environment. A “Street Proctor” approaches them, questioning their affiliation, leaving the encounter unresolved. The chapter ends with June and Day grappling with the Colonies’ alien culture, their physical exhaustion mirroring their mental strain as they navigate this corporate-dominated world.
FAQs
1. How does the description of the Colonies’ city contrast with what June is accustomed to in the Republic?
Answer:
The Colonies’ city is depicted as a stark contrast to the Republic in several ways. The architecture features foreign flags, archway designs, and advanced fighter jets with unique trident-like structures, suggesting superior military technology. Unlike the Republic’s uniform government-style ads, the Colonies have a chaotic mix of neon advertisements promoting commercial products and services, including corporate-sponsored schools and police departments. The presence of commercial broadcasts, sales, and a consumer-driven society highlights a fundamental difference in governance—where the Republic uses propaganda for control, the Colonies appear to operate under corporate influence (“A FREE STATE IS A CORPORATE STATE”). The crowded, colorful streets and emphasis on individual consumption further emphasize this divergence.2. What does the “SwapShop” advertisement reveal about societal values in the Colonies?
Answer:
The “SwapShop” ad, which promotes finding “the perfect son, daughter, or employee,” suggests a commodification of human relationships and labor in the Colonies. Unlike the Republic’s state-controlled orphanages or conscription systems, this ad implies that children and workers are treated as products to be acquired, possibly through corporate franchises like Evergreen Ent. The language (“PERFECT”) and the children’s uniform appearance hint at a transactional view of family and employment, where personal connections are secondary to utility and efficiency. This aligns with the broader theme of corporate dominance in the Colonies, where even social structures are commercialized.3. Analyze the significance of the four corporations (CLOUD, MEDITECH, DESCON, EVERGREEN) mentioned in the chapter.
Answer:
The four corporations represent the foundational power structure of the Colonies, replacing traditional government. Their omnipresence in ads (e.g., Descon Corp’s police subsidiary, Meditech’s “Joyence Pills”) shows they control essential services like law enforcement, healthcare, and education. The slogan “A FREE STATE IS A CORPORATE STATE” underscores their ideology: freedom is tied to corporate patronage rather than democratic governance. This system contrasts sharply with the Republic’s centralized authority, revealing a dystopian reality where corporations wield unchecked power, monetizing even basic needs (e.g., reporting crimes costs “500 Note”). The quadrant symbol visually reinforces their collective dominance.4. How does June’s physical state affect her perception of the Colonies?
Answer:
June’s exhaustion and illness (“I can’t tell what time it is”; “too tired to figure out”) impair her usually sharp observational skills. She notes details like the ads and jets but admits to missing critical cues (e.g., the follower). Her disorientation amplifies the Colonies’ overwhelming sensory stimuli—flashing lights, crowds, and unfamiliar concepts (“Christmas?”). This vulnerability forces her to rely on Day, shifting her role from strategist to dependent. The chapter highlights how physical weakness can compromise even a prodigy’s analytical edge, adding tension to their precarious situation in hostile territory.5. Why might the “Street Proctor” character be significant in the story’s larger context?
Answer:
The “Street Proctor” (a corporate-affiliated official) embodies the Colonies’ surveillance and control mechanisms. Her tablet and question (“You’re not showing up. Corp?”) suggest a system where citizens are tracked via corporate databases, possibly through biometrics or ID chips. This interaction foreshadows June and Day’s risk of exposure as Republic fugitives in a society where anonymity is difficult. The proctor’s role also mirrors the Republic’s patrols but with a corporate twist, reinforcing the theme that both nations exercise control—just through different institutions (government vs. corporations).
Quotes
1. “The buildings range between five stories and hundreds of stories tall, some of them disappearing into low clouds. The sight is familiar in some ways and entirely new in others.”
This quote vividly captures the protagonists’ first impression of the Colonies’ cityscape, highlighting both its awe-inspiring scale and its stark differences from the Republic. It sets the stage for the chapter’s exploration of cultural and technological contrasts between the two societies.
2. “I’m shocked by the sheer number of ads on the walls—they stretch on as far as the eye can see, sometimes bunched so closely together that they completely hide the walls beneath them.”
This observation underscores the fundamental difference between the Republic’s controlled propaganda and the Colonies’ chaotic commercialism. It introduces the chapter’s central theme of contrasting governance systems through urban landscapes.
3. “A FREE STATE IS A CORPORATE STATE”
This bold slogan appearing on all advertisements encapsulates the Colonies’ governing philosophy. As the most direct statement of the chapter’s political commentary, it reveals the corporate-dominated nature of this society in contrast to the Republic’s militarized government.
4. “FIND YOUR PERFECT SON, DAUGHTER, OR EMPLOYEE. SWAPSHOP FRANCHISE STORES ARE A SUBSIDIARY OF EVERGREEN ENT”
This disturbing advertisement demonstrates the extreme commodification of human life in the Colonies. It represents one of the chapter’s most shocking revelations about how differently this society operates compared to the protagonists’ homeland.
5. “You’re not showing up. Corp?”
This abrupt interaction with a Street Proctor creates tension while illustrating the Colonies’ corporate surveillance state. It serves as both a cliffhanger and another example of how personal identity is managed differently in this society.