Legend (Legend #1)
Chapter 15: Part One: Day 8
by Marie, Lu,The narrator reflects on their near-kiss with a girl the previous night, acknowledging the dangers of forming attachments in their harsh street life. They recognize that falling for someone is a vulnerability, akin to having family in a quarantined zone or caring for a street orphan. Despite this, the narrator is drawn to the girl’s unique qualities—her sharp observational skills, intelligence, and unbroken spirit. Unlike others hardened by street life, she retains an innocence that sets her apart, making her both intriguing and admirable.
Throughout the day, the narrator and the girl focus on survival, scavenging for money and resources. They pickpocket naive police, resell discarded items, and raid unguarded crates, all while searching for a new place to camp. The narrator tries to stay focused on their primary goal—earning enough money to save Eden—but their mind wanders to sabotaging the Republic’s war efforts. Ideas like hijacking airships or disrupting power grids occupy their thoughts, revealing a rebellious streak and a desire to undermine the oppressive system.
Despite their preoccupation with survival and rebellion, the narrator’s thoughts continually return to the girl. Her presence is a constant distraction, and even fleeting glances or the sense of her watching reignite their fascination. The narrator struggles to reconcile their practical need to avoid emotional attachments with the growing pull they feel toward her. This internal conflict underscores the tension between survival instincts and human connection in their unforgiving world.
The chapter captures the duality of the narrator’s existence: the relentless grind of street life and the fleeting moments of vulnerability and desire. The girl symbolizes hope and resilience, a contrast to the cynicism around them. Yet, the narrator’s awareness of the risks keeps them guarded, even as they yearn for connection. This dynamic sets the stage for deeper emotional and moral conflicts as their story unfolds.
FAQs
1. What internal conflict does the narrator experience regarding the Girl, and what reasons does he give for resisting his feelings?
Answer:
The narrator struggles between his growing attraction to the Girl and the practical dangers of forming emotional attachments on the streets. He acknowledges that falling for someone is a significant vulnerability, comparable to having family in a quarantined zone or caring for a street orphan. Despite recognizing the risks—such as distraction from survival or exploitation—he admires her intelligence, observational skills, and resilience, which mirror his own traits. The tension lies in his desire to kiss her against his rational understanding that such connections can be “the worst weakness” in their harsh environment (e.g., her innocence and strength intrigue him, but he knows attachments are liabilities).2. Analyze how the narrator’s description of the Girl reflects his own self-perception. What does this reveal about their connection?
Answer:
The narrator emphasizes qualities in the Girl that he identifies with himself, such as resilience (“the streets haven’t broken her”) and adaptability (e.g., her sharp observations and knife skills). By noting how she’s “made stronger” by adversity—just as he implies he is—he projects his own values onto her. This mirroring suggests their connection is rooted in shared survival instincts and mutual recognition of each other’s strengths. It also hints at his longing for companionship with someone who understands his world, even as he resists it for practical reasons.3. How does the narrator’s focus shift between survival, rebellion, and his feelings for the Girl? What does this reveal about his priorities?
Answer:
Initially, the narrator concentrates on practical survival tasks like pickpocketing and scavenging. However, his thoughts increasingly divert to sabotaging the Republic’s war efforts (e.g., hijacking airships or cutting power grids) and, more persistently, to the Girl. This oscillation reveals his priorities are in flux: while survival dominates, his rebellious impulses and emotional pull toward the Girl compete for attention. The recurring distraction of her presence suggests that, despite his disciplined exterior, human connection and defiance of the system are equally compelling motivators for him.4. What symbolic role might the Girl’s “innocence” play in the narrator’s worldview, given the harsh setting?
Answer:
In a world where cynicism and jadedness are survival traits, the Girl’s innocence represents hope and purity—qualities the narrator may fear losing or longs to protect. Her ability to remain unbroken by the streets contrasts with most people he encounters, symbolizing resilience without corruption. This innocence could serve as a moral anchor for him, a reminder of humanity’s potential even in brutality. Alternatively, it might highlight his fear that attachment to her could expose her to danger or shatter her idealism, compounding his internal conflict.5. How does the narrator’s rebellious mindset against the Republic contrast with his cautious approach to relationships?
Answer:
The narrator actively fantasizes about high-risk acts of rebellion (e.g., destroying airships), demonstrating boldness against systemic oppression. Yet he suppresses his feelings for the Girl, viewing emotional risk as a greater vulnerability. This contrast suggests he perceives love as an uncontrollable threat, while rebellion is a calculated defiance he can weaponize. His willingness to endanger himself for political sabotage—but not for personal connection—underscores how survival on the streets has conditioned him to prioritize tactical resistance over emotional exposure.
Quotes
1. “But nothing good can come out of falling for someone on the streets. That’s the worst weakness you can have, right up there with having a family stuck in a quarantined zone or a street orphan needing you.”
This quote captures the protagonist’s internal conflict about romantic attachment in their harsh environment, framing love as a dangerous vulnerability in their survival-focused world.
2. “She’s not cynical or jaded. The streets haven’t broken her. They’ve made her stronger instead. Like me.”
This reveals the protagonist’s admiration for the girl’s resilience and serves as a moment of self-reflection, drawing parallels between their characters and survival mentality.
3. “I try to keep my thoughts on Eden, on the money I need to collect before it’s too late, but I start thinking up new ways to mess with the Republic’s war campaign instead.”
This shows the protagonist’s divided focus between personal survival obligations and larger rebellious impulses, illustrating the tension between individual and systemic concerns.
4. “But every now and then, when I steal a glance at the Girl, or feel her eyes on me, I helplessly drift back to thinking about her.”
This concluding thought emphasizes the irresistible pull of their attraction despite knowing the risks, highlighting the human need for connection even in dire circumstances.