Prodigy
Chapter 29: June 15
by Lu, MarieThe chapter opens with June reflecting on her recent release from the hospital and her return to a luxurious apartment in Denver. She anxiously awaits Day’s arrival, preoccupied with thoughts of what he wants to discuss. The return of her dog, Ollie, a remnant of her past life, brings her comfort, but she remains unsettled by the opulence surrounding her and the unresolved tension with Thomas, her former captor. Outside, a light snow falls, mirroring her quiet unease as she grapples with her new reality and the emotional weight of recent events.
June’s thoughts drift to Kaede’s recent burial, a moment she insisted on honoring with a proper gravesite. She wonders if Day blames himself for Kaede’s death, just as she does, and if this guilt has delayed their reunion. Her introspection is interrupted by Day’s arrival, and she is struck by his transformed appearance in a formal Republic uniform. His beauty, accentuated by the elegant attire, leaves her momentarily speechless, highlighting the unfamiliarity between them despite their shared history.
Day explains the uniform was for a photo with the Elector, a gesture of his reluctant alignment with the Republic. He presents June with a lavish ruby pendant, a stark contrast to the paper clip ring he once gave her. The gift, funded by the Republic, symbolizes their changed circumstances, yet June cherishes the memory of the simpler token. Their conversation is polite but strained, with Day maintaining a reserved demeanor that keeps June at arm’s length, leaving her uncertain about his true feelings.
The chapter closes with June tentatively asking about Day’s brother, Eden, whose survival comes at the cost of his vision. Day’s terse response underscores his lingering grief and the emotional distance between them. June’s attempts to bridge the gap are met with quiet resistance, leaving both characters suspended in a moment of unspoken tension as they navigate their complicated relationship and the uncertain future ahead.
FAQs
1. How does June’s living situation reflect the changes in her life and perspective after her release?
Answer:
June’s new apartment in the Oxford High-Rise symbolizes both her reinstatement into Republic society and her shifting values. While the space is luxurious with “sleek couches, elaborate chandeliers, and glass tables,” she notes discomfort with these possessions, suggesting her experiences have altered her perception of material wealth. The return of Ollie—a connection to her late brother Metias—contrasts with the impersonal new furnishings, highlighting her emotional anchors versus imposed privileges. This duality reflects her internal conflict between past privileges and newfound awareness of the Republic’s inequalities.2. Analyze the significance of Day’s gift to June and how it contrasts with their previous interactions.
Answer:
The ruby pendant represents Day’s attempt to bridge their social divide through a traditionally valuable token, contrasting sharply with his earlier paperclip ring that symbolized resourcefulness in poverty. While the gift is extravagant (“tiny diamonds,” “silver wires”), June’s admission that she preferred the ring reveals her valuing sentimental meaning over material worth. Their stilted formality (“cordial social niceties”) underscores the tension between their evolving roles as public figures and their authentic connection, mirroring the Republic’s attempts to assimilate Day through lavish treatment.3. What does the chapter reveal about the psychological impacts of trauma on both June and Day?
Answer:
Both characters exhibit trauma responses: June hyper-focuses on tidying and Ollie to avoid thinking about Kaede’s death and Day’s delayed visit, while Day’s sadness and avoidance of crowds hint at survivor’s guilt. June’s speculation about Thomas shows unresolved betrayal trauma, and her fixation on the door (“afraid I’ll miss him if I blink”) suggests anxiety. Day’s abrupt shift when discussing Eden (“He’s alive”) reveals protective deflection. Their restrained physical distance despite clear affection demonstrates how grief and political upheaval have imposed emotional barriers between them.4. How does the author use clothing as a narrative device in Day’s introduction scene?
Answer:
Day’s Republic uniform serves as visual irony—his striking beauty in the oppressor’s attire (“black with dark gray stripes,” “white neoprene gloves”) contrasts with his anti-establishment identity. The detailed description emphasizes the system’s co-optation of his image for propaganda (“photo shaking hands with the Elector”). Snowflakes on his lashes and hair create ethereal imagery, juxtaposing his natural grace against the uniform’s artificiality. This moment shocks June, underscoring how institutional power can reframe even the most rebellious figures, while Day’s sarcastic commentary (“Not my choice”) preserves his subversive edge.5. Evaluate how secondary characters like Kaede and Thomas function in this chapter despite their absence.
Answer:
Kaede’s memorialization through June’s insistence on a “real plot” and Day’s implied grave visit keeps her presence alive, symbolizing the costs of rebellion. Thomas’ unresolved status (“Will he just follow protocol?”) represents lingering systemic corruption. Anden’s off-page actions (returning Ollie, accommodating Kaede’s burial) demonstrate his attempts at reform, while Razor and Jameson’s mentioned arrests hint at ongoing political purges. These absent figures deepen the protagonists’ introspection, forcing them to confront guilt, justice, and the consequences of their choices in the Republic’s shifting landscape.
Quotes
1. “It’s strange to have a living space that’s my own again, furnished with myriad new and unfamiliar things. Sleek couches, elaborate chandeliers, glass tables, hardwood floors. Luxurious items that I no longer feel entirely comfortable owning.”
This quote captures June’s internal conflict as she adjusts to her privileged new life after the revolution, highlighting her growing discomfort with wealth and inequality in the Republic.
2. “I wonder what Thomas thinks of all this. Will he just follow protocol as always and bow the next time he sees me, pledging his undying loyalty?”
This reflection reveals June’s skepticism about the Republic’s power structures and the blind obedience of its soldiers, questioning whether real change has occurred.
3. “I hadn’t thought to prepare myself for a vision like this, for what his beauty might look like under circumstances that would actually show it off.”
This poignant description of Day in formal attire represents a turning point where June sees him transformed from rebel to establishment figure, creating both attraction and distance between them.
4. “Day for Elector? Right. I don’t even like the Republic yet. That’ll take some getting used to.”
Day’s sarcastic remark underscores his ongoing struggle with his new role supporting the Republic he once fought against, showing his internal conflict about the revolution’s outcomes.
5. “I still liked my paper clip ring best, though.”
This brief exchange about jewelry symbolizes the tension between their past (simple, authentic connection) and present (complicated, formalized relationship), representing their nostalgia for simpler times.