Legend By Marie Lu

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Pages: 4
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In the world, oppression can still be found in many governments, and it is something we as a society are working towards eradicating. The majority of us in the West are extremely fortunate to reside in a society where freedom and equality are valued in the government. However, have we thought about what it's like to live in oppression? The dystopian novel Legend by Marie Lu gives us a glimpse into a world intertwined with oppression and fear. The novel portrays a futuristic society where the United States of America has crumbled and left behind two rival groups at war. Within the borders of Republic territory, previously the west coast of America, we find two teenagers from different socioeconomic statuses: a wealthy girl named June, and a …show more content…
Indeed, Lu suggests that oftentimes, when fear is found among citizens, it can be pinned on a corrupt government. Three times readers can find this theme arise within the novel is when the author portrays Day worrying about his brother who is being held captive by the government, towards the end of the story when Tess, Day’s sidekick, is terrified about what the government might do to Day, and when Day has a dream about his childhood. One moment where readers find fear among citizens caused by the government is a flashback Day had to his childhood. Day, in the midst of a dream, finds himself back in his childhood home with his family, celebrating his older brother’s job assignment. Day grew up in one of the poor sectors of the Republic, which was riddled with The Plague and soldiers to keep the impoverished in check. The memory is a happy one, filled with warmth and laughter. However, Day is playing ball with his brothers and describes what he …show more content…
Eden “stands up on the steps” and John “holds out one hand to stop [Day]”, implying that they know that something bad could happen to Day if the policeman gets hurt. They would only be afraid if things like this violence happened often, causing the justified fear of the oppression many people face. In a world without a corrupt government, an average officer would understand Day and continue on with their day. However, even though it’s an accident, the policeman threatens Day, a young boy, with a knife. The soldier must be entitled to believe this behavior is okay because of the government behind him, which creates the division between the impoverished and wealthy. As highlighted in this scene, it is clear that the fear within the civilians is because of the way the government treats them. What this paper has been suggesting is that Legend describes a world where when fear is found among citizens, it can be blamed on the corruption of a government. In the middle of the book, readers find Day fretting over his younger brother, because he is scared of what might happen to him in the clutches of the government. Towards the end of the story, Tess is worried about what might happen to Day as he is held prisoner by the Republic. One final moment is when Day has a dream featuring his childhood, where he accidentally provokes a government officer. After
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