Legend (Legend #1)
Chapter 1: Part One: Day 1
by Marie, Lu,The chapter opens with the protagonist, Day, reflecting on his status as the Republic’s most wanted criminal. Despite being alive, he allows his mother to believe he’s dead for her safety. His Wanted poster frequently appears on Los Angeles’ JumboTrons, showcasing exaggerated crimes and varying descriptions of his appearance, highlighting the Republic’s ignorance about him. Day takes pride in his anonymity, which undermines the government’s authority and fuels their desperation to capture him. The propaganda-filled cityscape contrasts sharply with his hidden existence, emphasizing the oppressive regime he resists.
Day observes his family’s neighborhood from a derelict apartment, accompanied by Tess, his younger companion. The sector is ravaged by plague, and soldiers conduct invasive inspections, marking infected homes with red Xs. Day’s anxiety grows as he watches them approach his family’s house, fearing they’ll be flagged. Tess urges him to leave the city temporarily, but he refuses, determined to ensure his family’s safety. Their dialogue reveals Day’s stubborn loyalty and Tess’s protective concern, underscoring the tension between survival and familial duty.
A chilling scene unfolds as soldiers execute a plague victim, showcasing the Republic’s brutal efficiency. Day admires their advanced weaponry but acknowledges the risk of using traceable guns, relying instead on makeshift weapons. The encounter reinforces the ever-present danger of their world. Meanwhile, Tess attempts to distract Day by asking about the gifts he’s brought for his family, including goggles for his brother John. These stolen supplies represent Day’s desperate efforts to provide for his loved ones despite his outlaw status.
The chapter closes with Day’s bittersweet reflection on his inability to reunite with his family openly. His gifts—practical items like food and shoes—symbolize his enduring connection to them, even as he remains a ghost in their lives. The looming inspection of his family’s home heightens the suspense, leaving readers anxious about their fate. Day’s resilience and Tess’s unwavering support paint a poignant picture of survival and sacrifice in a dystopian world.
FAQs
1. Why does Day’s mother believe he is dead, and why is this belief strategically important for him?
Answer:
Day allows his mother to believe he is dead because it is safer for both of them. As the Republic’s most wanted criminal, his survival threatens the regime’s image, making him a high-priority target. If his mother knew he was alive, she might be interrogated or used as leverage against him. The Republic’s inability to identify Day (evidenced by inconsistent Wanted posters) suggests their database lacks his records, which fuels their frustration. By maintaining his “death,” Day protects his family from retaliation while continuing his subversive activities unnoticed (Chapter: “Day 1”).2. Analyze the significance of the Republic’s propaganda on the JumboTrons. How does it contrast with Day’s wanted poster, and what does this reveal about the government’s priorities?
Answer:
The JumboTrons display a stark contrast between the Republic’s idealized propaganda (happy citizens, anti-Colonies messages) and Day’s wanted poster. This juxtaposition highlights the government’s focus on maintaining control through both inspiration (showing utopian imagery) and fear (hunting dissidents like Day). The propaganda aims to unify citizens against external threats (the Colonies) while suppressing internal dissent. Day’s poster disrupts this narrative by exposing the Republic’s failure to capture him, undermining their authority. The inconsistent photos of Day further emphasize the regime’s incompetence, which they desperately try to conceal (Chapter: “Day 1”).3. How does the plague inspection process exemplify the Republic’s authoritarian control, and what risks does Day face by observing it?
Answer:
The plague inspections demonstrate the Republic’s brutal efficiency in maintaining order. Soldiers forcibly enter homes, test residents, and mark infected houses with red Xs, condemning occupants to isolation or death. This process instills fear and ensures compliance. Day risks exposure by surveilling these inspections, as his presence in a quarantined sector could lead to capture or infection. His emotional turmoil—watching soldiers approach his family’s home—reveals the personal toll of resisting the regime. Tess’s concern underscores the danger: their vigilance could backfire if Day’s attachment to his family compromises his caution (Chapter: “Day 1”).4. Evaluate Day’s relationship with Tess. How does their dynamic reflect their survival strategies in this dystopian society?
Answer:
Day and Tess share a partnership rooted in mutual dependence and contrasting temperaments. Day is impulsive and emotionally driven (e.g., insisting on checking his family despite risks), while Tess acts as his pragmatic counterbalance, urging caution. Their roles mirror survival necessities: Day’s boldness secures resources (e.g., stolen goggles, food), and Tess’s foresight preserves their safety (e.g., suggesting they flee the plague). Her younger age belies her maturity, as she often assumes a caretaker role. Together, they embody the adaptability required to navigate the Republic’s oppression, blending rebellion with practicality (Chapter: “Day 1”).5. Why does Day avoid using guns, despite their affordability and effectiveness? What does this reveal about the Republic’s surveillance tactics?
Answer:
Day avoids guns because their tracking technology (sensors recording hand shape, thumbprints, and location) would instantly identify him. While guns are cheap and powerful, their traceability outweighs their utility for a fugitive. This detail exposes the Republic’s pervasive surveillance: even weapons are designed to monitor users. Day’s reliance on homemade weapons (slingshots, knives) reflects his need to operate undetected. His father’s remark about stolen Colonies tech further hints at the Republic’s hypocrisy—using enemy innovations while vilifying them in propaganda (Chapter: “Day 1”).
Quotes
1. “MY MOTHER THINKS I’M DEAD. Obviously I’m not dead, but it’s safer for her to think so.”
This opening line immediately establishes the protagonist’s precarious existence as a fugitive, highlighting the emotional sacrifice of being separated from family for mutual protection. It sets the tone for the dystopian world where survival requires harsh choices.
2. “They don’t seem to know much of anything about me, except that I’m young and that when they run my fingerprints they don’t find a match in their databases. That’s why they hate me, why I’m not the most dangerous criminal in the country, but the most wanted. I make them look bad.”
This quote reveals the Republic’s incompetence and the protagonist’s symbolic threat to their authority. It underscores the theme of institutional fragility in oppressive regimes where perception matters more than truth.
3. “One plague victim isn’t much of a threat. The soldier lifts his gun and aims. A volley of sparks engulfs the infected woman.”
This chilling description of the plague response demonstrates the brutal efficiency of the Republic’s military and the dehumanization of citizens, illustrating the harsh realities of life under this regime.
4. “Each gun has a sensor on it that reports its user’s hand shape, thumbprints, and location. If that didn’t give me away, nothing would. So I’m left with my homemade weapons, PVC pipe slingshots, and other trinkets.”
This passage highlights the sophisticated surveillance state and the protagonist’s resourceful adaptation to it, emphasizing the constant tension between technology and resistance in this dystopia.