Legend (Legend #1)
Chapter 19: Part One: Day 10
by Marie, Lu,The chapter opens with the protagonist dreaming of a nostalgic scene at home, where John reads to their mother while Eden doodles nearby. The dream takes a turn when the Girl appears, and the protagonist introduces her to their mother. However, the dream turns nightmarish as Eden vanishes, and the Girl solemnly declares, “Eden is dead.” The protagonist wakes abruptly to the sound of a military medic siren, a sound that signals urgency and danger, pulling them back to reality. The dream’s vividness lingers, leaving them unsettled.
Upon waking, the protagonist notices the Girl already awake and tense, her demeanor starkly different from the previous night’s intimacy. The sound of the siren sparks curiosity and concern, as such trucks are typically used for transporting plague cases or injured soldiers. Tess, another character, questions the siren’s purpose, but the protagonist is preoccupied with the Girl’s sudden emotional distance. Her coldness contrasts sharply with their shared moment the night before, leaving the protagonist confused and uneasy.
The Girl’s behavior takes a darker turn as she confronts the protagonist about their family, revealing she followed them the previous night. She questions their motives for saving money, implying it’s for a plague cure, and drops a devastating bombshell: the plague patrol is coming for their family today. Her bluntness and detachment suggest she knows more than she’s letting on, heightening the protagonist’s anxiety. The revelation shifts the tone from introspection to impending crisis, as the protagonist grapples with the Girl’s cryptic warning.
The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with the Girl’s ominous statement casting a shadow over the protagonist’s reality. Her knowledge of the protagonist’s family and the impending plague patrol raises questions about her role and intentions. The protagonist’s confusion and fear are palpable as they face the possibility of losing their family, mirroring the loss foreshadowed in the dream. The chapter masterfully blends dreamlike nostalgia with harsh reality, setting the stage for an urgent and emotional confrontation.
FAQs
1. What does the dream sequence reveal about the protagonist’s family dynamics and underlying fears?
Answer:
The dream sequence provides key insights into the protagonist’s family relationships and subconscious anxieties. It portrays John as a patient, gentle figure reading to their mother—a contrast to the protagonist’s personality—while Eden is depicted as a quiet, artistic presence. The sudden disappearance of Eden and the Girl’s declaration that “Eden is dead” reflect the protagonist’s deep-seated fear of losing family members, likely tied to the plague’s threat. The dream’s idyllic setup followed by disruption mirrors the protagonist’s reality, where safety is fragile. This also foreshadows the later revelation about the plague patrol coming for the family.2. How does the military medic truck siren serve as both a plot device and a thematic symbol in this chapter?
Answer:
The siren acts as a critical plot device by transitioning the protagonist from dreams to reality and hinting at impending danger. Thematically, it symbolizes the oppressive presence of authority and the inevitability of the plague’s impact. The detail that these trucks prioritize military cases—but are repurposed for plague transports—highlights how the war and plague are intertwined crises. The protagonist’s immediate recognition of the siren’s unusual purpose (“special plague cases”) underscores their lived experience in this dystopian world, where institutional systems are both familiar and threatening.3. Analyze the shift in the Girl’s behavior toward the protagonist. What might explain her sudden distance and confrontation about the plague patrol?
Answer:
The Girl’s shift from intimacy (“she was as into me as I was into her”) to detachment suggests she has learned critical information overnight—likely about the plague patrol’s imminent arrival. Her probing questions (“Your family had their door marked”) and blunt revelation (“today the plague patrol is coming”) imply she’s forcing the protagonist to confront reality, possibly to spur action. This mirrors her earlier tragic expression in the dream, positioning her as both a truth-teller and a figure whose loyalty may extend beyond the protagonist (e.g., to a resistance network). Her silence and grave focus on the street further hint at strategic awareness.4. What broader societal realities are exposed through the details of the protagonist’s world (e.g., plague cures, marked doors, and military priorities)?
Answer:
The chapter reveals a stratified society grappling with war and pandemic. The mention of saving money for “a plague cure” implies healthcare is commodified, accessible only to those who can pay. “Marked doors” suggest systematic surveillance and segregation of the infected, while military trucks getting “first priority” reflects a militarized state prioritizing war over civilian welfare. The protagonist’s observation that soldiers are usually treated at the warfront—except when repurposed for plague cases—further illustrates how crises are managed through containment rather than care, deepening the dystopian tone.
Quotes
1. “John is the strongest of us, but he has a patient, gentle streak that I didn’t inherit. A trait from our father.”
This quote reveals the protagonist’s reflection on family dynamics and inherited traits, contrasting John’s gentle nature with their own personality. It establishes key character relationships and hints at the absent father figure.
2. “The Girl’s smile fades. She looks at me with tragic eyes. ‘Eden is dead,’ she says.”
A pivotal dream sequence where the Girl delivers a haunting prophecy about Eden’s fate. This moment foreshadows impending tragedy and creates tension between the dream world and reality.
3. “Except we have no injured soldiers coming back to Los Angeles. They get treated at the warfront’s border. The other thing these trucks are used for around here is to transport special plague cases to the labs, due to their better emergency equipment.”
This world-building quote explains the dystopian setting’s rules while creating dread about the siren’s true purpose. It connects the military state with plague containment measures.
4. “‘You’re too late,’ she says. ‘Because today the plague patrol is coming for your family. They’re taking them away.’”
The chapter’s climactic revelation where the Girl delivers devastating news about the protagonist’s family. This quote represents a major turning point, forcing immediate action and confirming earlier foreshadowing.