Character Clues

Character Analysis

Actions

In this story it's important to note what the characters do rather than what they say or what sector they live in. The Republic would prefer that people not think critically and just draw the line between the haves and have-nots, but in the end, people's actions speak louder than whether or not they're part of the elite.

Day may be considered a poor criminal and a scumbag, but he ends up showing an incredible amount of kindness and forgiveness toward June, as well as a great deal of love and sacrifice for his family. And Thomas may be a decorated soldier, but he shows nothing but coldness and a disregard for human life when he kills Day's mother and shoots into the crowd of rioters.

Family Life

Both of our main characters in this book make their families their priority. This shows you what kind of people they are—they are kind and loving and they would sacrifice anything for the sake of their families. Day stays close to his and breaks into a hospital in order to help Eden recover from the plague, and June's main focus is always her beloved brother.

It's a stark contrast between them and people like Thomas and Commander Jameson, who never even mention their families. Thomas even says that he came from a poor sector, but the implication is that he doesn't want anything to do with the people he grew up with—including his family.

Thoughts and Opinions

Thoughts and opinions are very important in Legend, especially as they pertain to the ability to think critically and challenge authority. People like June and Day are willing to think outside of the propaganda they've been fed all their lives; they can take into account the evidence of the injustice around them and form real opinions about whether the Republic is good or bad to its people.

People like Thomas, on the other hand, don't think critically at all. They just blindly accept what they're told and follow directions—which often leads to disastrous and horrifying consequences.