Essay Questions

How does Day and June’s relationship reveal information about them as people?

Day and June reveal the fact that they are still teenagers, going through normal experiences of being a teenager, through their interactions with each other. They may be engaged in a rebellion, but they still find time to joke with each other while sparring, flirt while undercover, and take moments for themselves. Their relationship reminds readers that while they may be rebels devoted to their war, they are also normal teenagers, who want to devote time to things like their first relationship. Their relationship also reveals June’s determination and persistence, because even after Day breaks things off with her to protect her from the knowledge of his illness, she realizes that Day is the light in her world, and decides to try and win him back. Day’s act of breaking off their relationship reveals his selflessness, because he’s willing to go through a terminal illness alone if it means sheltering June from that knowledge.

Compare and contrast the Republic and the Colonies. What do these differences show about what they value?

The Republic is very reserved in how they present themselves, as the architecture of their cities is simple and military in nature, and little consumerism is shown there. The Colonies, on the other hand, have evidence of consumerism everywhere, and have flashy displays of wealth across their cities. The Republic also places weight on achievement and hierarchy, by forcing all its citizens to take a test that determines their status in the world, meaning that there are very clear divisions between classes: the poor live in slums, while the rich live in elite parts of the cities. The Colonies attempt to convince everyone who lives there that everyone is equal, which means that the poor are pushed to the least visible parts of the country, where their problems go largely ignored by officials. The Republic values status and militarism, shown through the layout of their cities and the strict, visible roles that individuals are forced into. They believe in a meritocracy, where people are forced to earn their place, and that that place is one to be displayed to the world. The Colonies value wealth and consumerism, which means that they display both of those prominently, and force anyone who contradicts that message out of sight.

How does Anden and June’s relationship reflect June’s character arc?

June genuinely cares for Anden, and in another world, would likely have ended up with him instead of Day. She feels conflicted about deceiving him as a spy for the resistance, but also wants to distance herself from the Republic. Although Anden proves himself to be different from his father, he is a young and inexperienced leader, meaning that he could easily be corrupted and hasn’t proved what kind of ruler he is going to be. June still feels a reluctance to work with the Republic because of what they did to her brother, and what they did to Day. Even though she likes Anden, her fear and distrust of the Republic prevents her from working with him openly.