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    DystopianFictionPolitical FictionThrillerYoung Adult

    Prodigy

    by Lu, Marie
    “Prodigy” by Marie Lu is the second installment in the dystopian “Legend” trilogy, following the gripping journey of June and Day as they navigate a fractured society. After escaping the Republic’s clutches, the duo allies with the rebel Patriots to overthrow the oppressive regime, but their trust is tested by shifting loyalties and hidden agendas. Themes of power, sacrifice, and identity are explored against a backdrop of political intrigue and revolution. Lu’s taut prose and intricate world-building heighten the tension, making “Prodigy” a compelling exploration of morality and resilience in a divided world. The novel advances the series’ narrative while deepening character arcs and societal critiques.
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    Prodigy

    Chapter 26: Day 13

    by Lu, Marie

    The chap­ter “Day 13” fol­lows the pro­tag­o­nist, Day, as he arrives at the Capi­tol Tow­er, exhaust­ed and in pain, amidst a chaot­ic protest. The young Elec­tor, Anden, attempts to calm the crowd with promis­es of reform, but his polit­i­cal rhetoric fails to res­onate. Day observes the dis­trust among the peo­ple and sus­pects Con­gress and Razor are manip­u­lat­ing the sit­u­a­tion. He climbs the build­ing, recall­ing June’s sup­port, and pre­pares to address the nation through the wired speak­er sys­tem, mir­ror­ing his first encounter with June. The ten­sion is pal­pa­ble as he risks being shot by sol­diers while nav­i­gat­ing the ledge.

    Day reach­es the tenth floor, over­look­ing a sea of pro­test­ers with scar­let-streaked hair, a sym­bol of defi­ance against the Repub­lic. Despite the vio­lent sup­pres­sion by riot police, no shots are fired, which Day hopes is Anden’s doing. He steels him­self, whis­per­ing, “Don’t be afraid,” before step­ping onto a bal­cony to face the crowd. His bright hair catch­es atten­tion, and soon, more peo­ple turn to look. The sol­diers aim their weapons but hes­i­tate to shoot, cre­at­ing a tense stand­off. Day resists his instinct to flee, deter­mined to stand his ground for the first time in years.

    As the crowd rec­og­nizes him, their chants of “Day! Day! Day!” grow loud­er, drown­ing out the chaos. Even Anden turns to watch, leav­ing Day uncer­tain whether he’s an ally or a threat. Using the speak­er sys­tem, Day address­es the Repub­lic, his voice ampli­fied across the square. The crowd erupts in cheers, but a lone bul­let strikes the bal­cony glass, height­en­ing the ten­sion. Day remains unfazed, warn­ing Con­gress against pro­vok­ing an upris­ing. He demands the release of arrest­ed Patri­ots, threat­en­ing to incite a rev­o­lu­tion if they refuse.

    The chap­ter cul­mi­nates in a pow­er­ful moment as Day asserts his lead­er­ship, chal­leng­ing the cor­rupt regime. His speech unites the pro­test­ers, and their col­lec­tive ener­gy shakes the square. The Elector’s ambigu­ous stance adds sus­pense, leav­ing Day to won­der if he’ll be pro­tect­ed or betrayed. The scene cap­tures the cli­max of Day’s trans­for­ma­tion from a fugi­tive to a rev­o­lu­tion­ary fig­ure, ready to con­front the Republic’s oppres­sion head-on. The chap­ter ends on a cliffhang­er, with the crowd’s fate hang­ing in the bal­ance.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What is the significance of the scarlet streak painted in the protesters’ hair, and what does it reveal about the Republic’s control over its citizens?

      Answer:
      The scarlet streak in the protesters’ hair symbolizes rebellion and solidarity against the Republic’s oppressive regime. Despite the government’s attempts to outlaw this act of defiance (“the Republic’s attempts to outlaw it don’t work so well when everyone wants to do it”), the widespread adoption of the streak demonstrates the citizens’ collective resistance. This detail highlights the erosion of the Republic’s authority and the people’s willingness to openly challenge its rules, even at personal risk. It also underscores the failure of top-down control when public sentiment overwhelmingly rejects it.

      2. Analyze Day’s internal conflict during his climb up the Capitol Tower. How does his mindset shift, and what motivates him to take this risky action?

      Answer:
      Day experiences intense fear and physical pain during his climb, acknowledging he could be shot at any moment (“I could die right now”). However, his determination overrides his instinct to flee, marked by his mantra: “Don’t be afraid. You can’t afford it.” His motivation stems from a desire to honor June, her brother, and Elector Anden, as well as to expose the truth to the public. The pivotal shift occurs when he chooses to “stand [his] ground” instead of escaping, reflecting his growth from a survivalist to a revolutionary leader willing to risk everything for change.

      3. How does the Elector Anden’s approach to addressing the crowd differ from Day’s, and why does Day’s method resonate more powerfully?

      Answer:
      Anden relies on formal political rhetoric (“goddy political talk”), proposing reforms like abolishing the Trials and revising career assignments. However, his appeals fall flat because the people distrust him and the system he represents. In contrast, Day’s raw, unfiltered confrontation—amplified by his rebel reputation and dramatic appearance—captivates the crowd. His direct ultimatum to Congress (“Release [the Patriots]… or face a revolution”) taps into the protesters’ anger, making him a tangible symbol of resistance. Where Anden represents institutional change, Day embodies the people’s fury and hope.

      4. What role does technology (e.g., JumboTrons, speakers) play in this chapter, and how does Day exploit it to challenge the Republic’s power structure?

      Answer:
      Technology serves as a double-edged tool: the Republic uses JumboTrons to broadcast Anden’s pleas, while Day repurposes the speaker system—much like he did when first meeting June—to hijack the narrative. By wiring the speakers, Day transforms a tool of state control into a platform for rebellion, ensuring his message reaches “every speaker in the country.” This tactical use of technology mirrors real-world protests where media becomes a battleground, demonstrating how marginalized groups can subvert dominant systems to amplify their voices.

      5. Evaluate the significance of the soldiers’ restraint in not shooting Day immediately. What does this suggest about power dynamics in the Republic at this moment?

      Answer:
      The soldiers’ hesitation (they “don’t shoot” despite having guns trained on Day) reveals fractures in the Republic’s chain of command. It implies conflicting orders—possibly from Congress versus Anden—or fear of inciting further unrest by killing a beloved figure. Day interprets this as Anden’s influence (“Maybe he’s telling them not to harm me”), suggesting the Elector may be a reluctant ally. This tension highlights the instability of authoritarian control when enforcers (soldiers) and the public begin questioning orders, creating space for resistance to thrive.

    Quotes

    • 1. “The people don’t believe him, and they don’t believe in him.”

      This quote captures the central tension of the chapter—the Elector’s failed attempts to quell the uprising through reformist rhetoric. It highlights the crisis of leadership and trust in the Republic, setting the stage for Day’s dramatic intervention.

      2. “I’m tired of running.”

      A pivotal moment of character development where Day overcomes his instinct to flee and instead chooses to stand his ground. This simple declaration marks a turning point in his role from fugitive to revolutionary leader.

      3. “You’ve arrested a number of Patriots for a crime you are responsible for. Release them. All of them. If you don’t, I will call your people to action, and you will have a revolution on your hands.”

      The climax of the chapter where Day issues his ultimatum to Congress. This quote demonstrates his transformation into a political force and the shift in power dynamics, as he leverages the people’s support against the establishment.

      4. “Don’t be afraid. You can’t afford it.”

      A powerful moment of self-motivation that reveals Day’s internal struggle before his decisive action. This quote encapsulates the chapter’s theme of courage in the face of overwhelming danger and responsibility.

    Quotes

    1. “The people don’t believe him, and they don’t believe in him.”

    This quote captures the central tension of the chapter—the Elector’s failed attempts to quell the uprising through reformist rhetoric. It highlights the crisis of leadership and trust in the Republic, setting the stage for Day’s dramatic intervention.

    2. “I’m tired of running.”

    A pivotal moment of character development where Day overcomes his instinct to flee and instead chooses to stand his ground. This simple declaration marks a turning point in his role from fugitive to revolutionary leader.

    3. “You’ve arrested a number of Patriots for a crime you are responsible for. Release them. All of them. If you don’t, I will call your people to action, and you will have a revolution on your hands.”

    The climax of the chapter where Day issues his ultimatum to Congress. This quote demonstrates his transformation into a political force and the shift in power dynamics, as he leverages the people’s support against the establishment.

    4. “Don’t be afraid. You can’t afford it.”

    A powerful moment of self-motivation that reveals Day’s internal struggle before his decisive action. This quote encapsulates the chapter’s theme of courage in the face of overwhelming danger and responsibility.

    FAQs

    1. What is the significance of the scarlet streak painted in the protesters’ hair, and what does it reveal about the Republic’s control over its citizens?

    Answer:
    The scarlet streak in the protesters’ hair symbolizes rebellion and solidarity against the Republic’s oppressive regime. Despite the government’s attempts to outlaw this act of defiance (“the Republic’s attempts to outlaw it don’t work so well when everyone wants to do it”), the widespread adoption of the streak demonstrates the citizens’ collective resistance. This detail highlights the erosion of the Republic’s authority and the people’s willingness to openly challenge its rules, even at personal risk. It also underscores the failure of top-down control when public sentiment overwhelmingly rejects it.

    2. Analyze Day’s internal conflict during his climb up the Capitol Tower. How does his mindset shift, and what motivates him to take this risky action?

    Answer:
    Day experiences intense fear and physical pain during his climb, acknowledging he could be shot at any moment (“I could die right now”). However, his determination overrides his instinct to flee, marked by his mantra: “Don’t be afraid. You can’t afford it.” His motivation stems from a desire to honor June, her brother, and Elector Anden, as well as to expose the truth to the public. The pivotal shift occurs when he chooses to “stand [his] ground” instead of escaping, reflecting his growth from a survivalist to a revolutionary leader willing to risk everything for change.

    3. How does the Elector Anden’s approach to addressing the crowd differ from Day’s, and why does Day’s method resonate more powerfully?

    Answer:
    Anden relies on formal political rhetoric (“goddy political talk”), proposing reforms like abolishing the Trials and revising career assignments. However, his appeals fall flat because the people distrust him and the system he represents. In contrast, Day’s raw, unfiltered confrontation—amplified by his rebel reputation and dramatic appearance—captivates the crowd. His direct ultimatum to Congress (“Release [the Patriots]… or face a revolution”) taps into the protesters’ anger, making him a tangible symbol of resistance. Where Anden represents institutional change, Day embodies the people’s fury and hope.

    4. What role does technology (e.g., JumboTrons, speakers) play in this chapter, and how does Day exploit it to challenge the Republic’s power structure?

    Answer:
    Technology serves as a double-edged tool: the Republic uses JumboTrons to broadcast Anden’s pleas, while Day repurposes the speaker system—much like he did when first meeting June—to hijack the narrative. By wiring the speakers, Day transforms a tool of state control into a platform for rebellion, ensuring his message reaches “every speaker in the country.” This tactical use of technology mirrors real-world protests where media becomes a battleground, demonstrating how marginalized groups can subvert dominant systems to amplify their voices.

    5. Evaluate the significance of the soldiers’ restraint in not shooting Day immediately. What does this suggest about power dynamics in the Republic at this moment?

    Answer:
    The soldiers’ hesitation (they “don’t shoot” despite having guns trained on Day) reveals fractures in the Republic’s chain of command. It implies conflicting orders—possibly from Congress versus Anden—or fear of inciting further unrest by killing a beloved figure. Day interprets this as Anden’s influence (“Maybe he’s telling them not to harm me”), suggesting the Elector may be a reluctant ally. This tension highlights the instability of authoritarian control when enforcers (soldiers) and the public begin questioning orders, creating space for resistance to thrive.

    Note