Legend (Legend #1)
Chapter 6: Part One: June 3
by Marie, Lu,The chapter opens with June reflecting on the unexpected kindness of Commander Jameson, who assists in arranging her brother Metias’s funeral—an unusual gesture for a soldier’s superior. The funeral is held in an opulent setting, adorned with white lilacs and Republic symbols, where mourners, including June, dress in pristine white to honor the dead. June’s elaborate gown and makeup symbolize her grief and love for Metias, while the tradition of wearing white traces back to volcanic ash covering the deceased, a poignant detail Metias once shared with her. The scene underscores the Republic’s rigid customs and June’s personal sorrow amidst the formalities.
As June navigates the funeral, she interacts with guests, including Metias’s colleagues, professors, and even distant classmates from Drake University. Their condolences feel hollow to her, but she responds with practiced grace, masking her pain. The presence of her classmates surprises her, as she had struggled to form connections due to her youth and demanding academic load. June’s internal monologue reveals her isolation and the performative nature of the event, where her outward composure contrasts with her inner turmoil. Her attire, though admired by others, is solely for Metias, emphasizing her deep personal loss.
The narrative shifts to June’s encounter with Thomas, a fellow soldier who offers awkward but genuine support. Their brief exchange highlights Thomas’s care for her, though neither can fully articulate their emotions. The funeral proceedings drag on, with June seated near the altar, her attention divided between the Republic’s symbols and Metias’s coffin. The arrival of Chian, a former mentor to Metias, disrupts her composure. Chian’s overly familiar demeanor and insincere praise for Metias unsettle June, especially when he reminisces about mentoring him—a period Metias had despised and abruptly ended.
Chian’s condescending remarks and inappropriate physical contact provoke June’s silent rage, though she maintains a polite facade. His mention of Metias’s reassignment and June’s perfect Trial score feels manipulative, hinting at underlying tensions. The chapter climaxes as Chian reveals June’s upcoming mission to track Metias’s killer, a task framed as an honor but one that feels like a cruel twist. Thomas’s subtle reassurance under the table offers June momentary solace, but Chian’s presence lingers as a reminder of the Republic’s cold bureaucracy and the personal vendettas intertwined with her grief.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of wearing white at funerals in the Republic, and how does this cultural practice connect to the broader world-building in the chapter?
Answer:
In the Republic, wearing white at funerals is a cultural practice rooted in historical tragedy. As Metias explained to June, this tradition originated after catastrophic volcanic eruptions covered the dead and dying in white ash. This detail reveals how environmental disasters have shaped societal rituals, offering insight into the dystopian world’s history. The white attire also symbolizes purification and remembrance, mirroring June’s emotional state as she grieves Metias. This practice underscores how the Republic’s present is deeply intertwined with past traumas, adding depth to the narrative’s world-building while highlighting themes of loss and memory.2. Analyze the power dynamics between June and Chian during their interaction at the funeral. What does this reveal about their characters and the society they live in?
Answer:
The interaction exposes Chian’s manipulative authority and June’s restrained defiance. Chian, a high-ranking official, condescends to June with backhanded compliments (“polishes you up like a fresh snow blossom”) and invasive physical contact, asserting dominance. June masks her disgust with polite smiles, demonstrating her tactical composure in a society where challenging figures like Chian is dangerous. Their exchange also reveals systemic corruption: Chian’s pride in mentoring Metias contrasts with Metias’s hatred for him, hinting at abuse of power. This dynamic reflects the Republic’s oppressive hierarchy, where individuals like June must navigate interactions carefully to survive.3. How does the funeral setting contrast with June’s internal emotional state, and what literary techniques does the author use to emphasize this dissonance?
Answer:
The opulent funeral—with its white lilies, baroque architecture, and glittering attire—creates a stark contrast with June’s grief. The author uses vivid imagery (e.g., “glittering white eye shadow” masking her puffy eyes) to highlight June’s performative role as a mourner versus her raw pain. Descriptions of the “white coffin” and Republic flags juxtapose cold formalism with June’s intimate loss. The dissonance is further emphasized through June’s detached narration (“I wander among the guests, lost and aimless”), illustrating how societal expectations suppress genuine emotion in this controlled, militarized world.4. Why might Commander Jameson have arranged Metias’s funeral, and what does her ambiguous motivation suggest about her relationship with June?
Answer:
Commander Jameson’s actions could stem from genuine respect for Metias or strategic interest in June. Her refusal to explain her motives introduces ambiguity: she may see June as a valuable asset to manipulate (given June’s upcoming mission) or may harbor uncharacteristic empathy. The funeral’s unprecedented nature (“never done that for one of her soldiers before”) hints at either favoritism or ulterior motives. This ambiguity reflects the Republic’s culture of secrecy and power plays, where personal connections are often transactional, leaving June vulnerable to exploitation.5. How does the chapter use Metias’s absence to develop June’s character and foreshadow future conflicts?
Answer:
Metias’s absence permeates every detail, from June’s white gown (“stripped of color, just as Metias has been stripped from my life”) to her flashbacks about his mentorship. His death fuels her internal conflict—between her loyalty to the Republic and her suspicion of figures like Chian—while foreshadowing her mission to track his killer. The revelation that Metias hated Chian suggests hidden corruption, priming June (and readers) to question authority. Her quiet defiance (“Stay calm… Chian is not a man to make into an enemy”) signals her potential for rebellion, setting up her arc as a protagonist who may challenge the system.
Quotes
1. “Everything about me is stripped of color, just as Metias has been stripped from my life.”
This poignant line captures June’s grief and the symbolic significance of wearing white at funerals in their society. It connects personal loss with cultural traditions rooted in environmental disasters.
2. “After the first eruptions, white volcanic ash rained from the sky for months. The dead and dying were covered in it. So now to wear white is to remember the dead.”
This quote explains the origin of the funeral tradition, revealing how catastrophic events have shaped cultural practices in this dystopian world. It shows Metias’s role as June’s educator about their society’s history.
3. “I know Metias would be proud that he gave his life for his country.”
This demonstrates June’s public facade of patriotism while privately grieving, highlighting the tension between personal emotions and societal expectations in the Republic’s militarized culture.
4. “That dress polishes you up like a fresh snow blossom.”
Chian’s creepy compliment reveals the uncomfortable attention June endures during her mourning, showcasing the predatory behavior of authority figures in their society and June’s need to maintain composure.
5. “I was so pleased when Commander Jameson told me that you’d be tracking him. His case needs a pair of fresh eyes, and you’re just the doll to do it.”
This quote exposes the disturbing way June’s grief is being weaponized for state purposes, while also revealing the condescending attitudes toward young women in positions of authority.