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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 9: June 5

    by Lu, Marie

    The chap­ter opens with the pro­tag­o­nist arriv­ing in Den­ver by train dur­ing a snow­storm, greet­ed by a crowd of poor civil­ians brav­ing the cold to catch a glimpse of her. Despite her sta­tus as a pris­on­er, marked by a yel­low vest and shack­les, the crowd’s fas­ci­na­tion with her sug­gests her rep­u­ta­tion pre­cedes her, like­ly due to her asso­ci­a­tion with Day. Mil­i­tary patrols strug­gle to con­trol the onlook­ers, empha­siz­ing the ten­sion between author­i­ty and the pub­lic. The pro­tag­o­nist observes their pover­ty, feel­ing a pang of guilt when giv­en a coat, high­light­ing the stark con­trast between her treat­ment and their suf­fer­ing.

    As she is escort­ed off the train, the crowd’s silence under­scores their curios­i­ty and rev­er­ence. A boy’s des­per­ate shout—“Is Day alive?”—triggers a moment of defi­ance from the pro­tag­o­nist, who smiles in response before the guards vio­lent­ly sup­press the inter­ac­tion. The crowd erupts into chants of “Day lives!” rein­forc­ing the rumor of his sur­vival. This scene reveals the protagonist’s sub­tle resis­tance and the public’s hope, even as the mil­i­tary attempts to main­tain con­trol. Her inter­nal thoughts sug­gest she is play­ing along with the Patri­ots’ nar­ra­tive, using the moment to her advan­tage.

    The jour­ney through Den­ver reveals a heav­i­ly for­ti­fied city, with tow­er­ing sky­scrap­ers, mil­i­tary air­craft, and the impos­ing Armor wall. The protagonist’s awe at the capital’s advanced tech­nol­o­gy and oppres­sive archi­tec­ture con­trasts with her ear­li­er obser­va­tions of the impov­er­ished crowd. The city’s grandeur under­scores the regime’s pow­er, yet her fas­ci­na­tion with details like the exper­i­men­tal fight­er jets hints at her tech­ni­cal exper­tise and curios­i­ty. The set­ting rein­forces the dystopi­an ten­sion between the elite and the oppressed.

    Final­ly, Thomas informs her they are head­ing to Col­burn Hall, a pres­ti­gious din­ing venue where the Elec­tor will meet her. The shift from a pen­i­ten­tiary to a high-pro­file loca­tion sug­gests a change in her sta­tus or the Elector’s inten­tions. Thomas’s rigid demeanor con­trasts with the protagonist’s sar­cas­tic reply, reveal­ing her lin­ger­ing defi­ance. The chap­ter ends with her antic­i­pa­tion of the meet­ing, leav­ing her true inten­tions ambigu­ous but hint­ing at her strate­gic maneu­ver­ing with­in the pow­er dynam­ics of the cap­i­tal.

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    FAQs

    • 1. Comprehension: What details in the chapter suggest that the protagonist has gained significant public attention despite being a prisoner?

      Answer:
      Several details indicate the protagonist’s notoriety: a crowd braves freezing temperatures and snow to see her arrive at the station, with military patrols needed to control them. The onlookers are particularly interested in her yellow prison vest, and their silence when they see it suggests recognition. Additionally, someone shouts, “Is Day alive?“—implying her connection to Day has made her a figure of public interest. The crowd’s subsequent chant of “Day lives!” after her subtle reaction further shows how her actions have resonated with the people, likely due to her involvement in “Helping Day.”

      2. Analytical: How does the author use contrasting imagery to highlight the disparity between the protagonist and the civilians?

      Answer:
      The author juxtaposes the protagonist’s relative privilege (being given a coat, traveling under armed guard) with the civilians’ poverty (threadbare clothes, hole-ridden shoes, and shivering in the cold). This contrast emphasizes the protagonist’s guilt for accepting the coat and underscores the harsh conditions of the lower class. The crowd’s desperation to see her—despite their suffering—further highlights societal inequality, as does the military’s aggressive control over them, reinforcing the divide between the privileged and the oppressed.

      3. Critical Thinking: Why might the protagonist’s smile in response to “Is Day alive?” be significant, both for the crowd and for her own motives?

      Answer:
      Her smile serves multiple purposes: it fuels the crowd’s hope that Day is alive, reinforcing his symbolic resistance against the regime. For the protagonist, it’s a subtle act of defiance, as she notes the Patriots will “appreciate [her] enforcing this rumor.” This moment reveals her strategic thinking—using minimal actions to manipulate public perception—while also showing her alignment with rebel causes, even under guard. It underscores the power of small gestures in a repressive society.

      4. Application: How does the description of Denver’s militarized environment contribute to the world-building of the story?

      Answer:
      The detailed depiction of Denver—the Armor wall, skyscrapers with metal supports, patrol helicopters, and experimental fighter jets—paints a picture of a heavily fortified capital obsessed with security. This aligns with the chapter’s themes of control and surveillance, emphasizing the government’s power. The protagonist’s awe (“even more intimidating than I’d imagined”) reinforces how the capital’s grandeur is designed to intimidate, setting the stage for her upcoming meeting with the Elector in this oppressive setting.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Even though it’s freezing cold outside, these civilians are crowded behind a makeshift metal railing, pushing and shoving one another as if Lincoln or some other celebrity singer had just arrived.”

      This quote highlights the protagonist’s unexpected fame and the desperate admiration of the poor civilians, contrasting their harsh living conditions with their fervor to see her. It underscores the societal divide and the protagonist’s growing influence.

      2. “Despite the cold, they still came out here to see me get off a train—and who knows how long they’ve been waiting. Suddenly I feel guilty for accepting the coat.”

      This moment captures the protagonist’s empathy and moral conflict, as she recognizes the sacrifices of the crowd and questions her own privilege. It marks a key emotional turning point in her perspective.

      3. “Is Day alive?” a boy calls out. […] I lift my head and smile. […] “Day lives! Day lives!”

      This exchange reveals the protagonist’s silent defiance and the power of hope she instills in the crowd. It signifies her role as a symbol of resistance and the spread of rebellion against the authorities.

      4. “The capital is every bit the military city Vegas is, and is even more intimidating than I’d imagined.”

      This observation emphasizes the oppressive, militarized nature of the capital, setting the stage for the protagonist’s upcoming confrontation with its power structure. It also reflects her keen awareness of her surroundings.

      5. “I suggest you behave appropriately.” […] “Thanks for the tip. I’ll be sure to give him my best curtsy.”

      This tense exchange between the protagonist and Thomas showcases her sarcastic defiance and foreshadows her unwillingness to conform to authority. It highlights the power dynamics at play as she prepares to meet the Elector.

    Quotes

    1. “Even though it’s freezing cold outside, these civilians are crowded behind a makeshift metal railing, pushing and shoving one another as if Lincoln or some other celebrity singer had just arrived.”

    This quote highlights the protagonist’s unexpected fame and the desperate admiration of the poor civilians, contrasting their harsh living conditions with their fervor to see her. It underscores the societal divide and the protagonist’s growing influence.

    2. “Despite the cold, they still came out here to see me get off a train—and who knows how long they’ve been waiting. Suddenly I feel guilty for accepting the coat.”

    This moment captures the protagonist’s empathy and moral conflict, as she recognizes the sacrifices of the crowd and questions her own privilege. It marks a key emotional turning point in her perspective.

    3. “Is Day alive?” a boy calls out. […] I lift my head and smile. […] “Day lives! Day lives!”

    This exchange reveals the protagonist’s silent defiance and the power of hope she instills in the crowd. It signifies her role as a symbol of resistance and the spread of rebellion against the authorities.

    4. “The capital is every bit the military city Vegas is, and is even more intimidating than I’d imagined.”

    This observation emphasizes the oppressive, militarized nature of the capital, setting the stage for the protagonist’s upcoming confrontation with its power structure. It also reflects her keen awareness of her surroundings.

    5. “I suggest you behave appropriately.” […] “Thanks for the tip. I’ll be sure to give him my best curtsy.”

    This tense exchange between the protagonist and Thomas showcases her sarcastic defiance and foreshadows her unwillingness to conform to authority. It highlights the power dynamics at play as she prepares to meet the Elector.

    FAQs

    1. Comprehension: What details in the chapter suggest that the protagonist has gained significant public attention despite being a prisoner?

    Answer:
    Several details indicate the protagonist’s notoriety: a crowd braves freezing temperatures and snow to see her arrive at the station, with military patrols needed to control them. The onlookers are particularly interested in her yellow prison vest, and their silence when they see it suggests recognition. Additionally, someone shouts, “Is Day alive?“—implying her connection to Day has made her a figure of public interest. The crowd’s subsequent chant of “Day lives!” after her subtle reaction further shows how her actions have resonated with the people, likely due to her involvement in “Helping Day.”

    2. Analytical: How does the author use contrasting imagery to highlight the disparity between the protagonist and the civilians?

    Answer:
    The author juxtaposes the protagonist’s relative privilege (being given a coat, traveling under armed guard) with the civilians’ poverty (threadbare clothes, hole-ridden shoes, and shivering in the cold). This contrast emphasizes the protagonist’s guilt for accepting the coat and underscores the harsh conditions of the lower class. The crowd’s desperation to see her—despite their suffering—further highlights societal inequality, as does the military’s aggressive control over them, reinforcing the divide between the privileged and the oppressed.

    3. Critical Thinking: Why might the protagonist’s smile in response to “Is Day alive?” be significant, both for the crowd and for her own motives?

    Answer:
    Her smile serves multiple purposes: it fuels the crowd’s hope that Day is alive, reinforcing his symbolic resistance against the regime. For the protagonist, it’s a subtle act of defiance, as she notes the Patriots will “appreciate [her] enforcing this rumor.” This moment reveals her strategic thinking—using minimal actions to manipulate public perception—while also showing her alignment with rebel causes, even under guard. It underscores the power of small gestures in a repressive society.

    4. Application: How does the description of Denver’s militarized environment contribute to the world-building of the story?

    Answer:
    The detailed depiction of Denver—the Armor wall, skyscrapers with metal supports, patrol helicopters, and experimental fighter jets—paints a picture of a heavily fortified capital obsessed with security. This aligns with the chapter’s themes of control and surveillance, emphasizing the government’s power. The protagonist’s awe (“even more intimidating than I’d imagined”) reinforces how the capital’s grandeur is designed to intimidate, setting the stage for her upcoming meeting with the Elector in this oppressive setting.

    Note