Prodigy

As June and Day join the rebellion and become separated on opposing sides for a mission, they must decide whether to trust the Patriots over the Republic and if they can trust each other. Day grew up poor in the slums of LA among the communities the Republic never cared about or supported. June was raised lavishly in a high-rise by a well-respected and extremely wealthy family, earning her immediate status and a bright career path from a young age. Their different upbringings fostered certain beliefs and expectations regarding trust.

When June first shows hesitation to join the Patriots, who she believes will not help them, Day’s reaction implies he thinks she’s “hesitating because [she] do[esn’t] trust the Patriots. That, deep down, [she’s] still June Impairs, the Republic’s most celebrated prodigy… that [she’s] still loyal to this country” (6-7). The system has never helped Day, which predisposes him to jumping at the chance to join the Patriots, who promise a better life for citizens like Day. He lost hope long ago in the Republic’s redemption and instead yearns to experience the utopian society his father always believed the Colonies would be. June, however, has only recently learned the scope of the government’s evils and has been blindly loyal to the Republic her entire life.