In the Republic of America of Legend, there is no shortage of suffering or death. That's because the government has a rather unsentimental view of its citizens; basically, if you aren't useful to the future of the Republic, you're better off dead. That's why children get killed after failing their Trials and slums are infected with new strains of the plague in order to test the virus's efficacy.
Pretty bleak, huh? And we haven't even gotten to the part where the government publicly executes criminals by firing squad and kills its own military members for knowing too much. Because they're growing up in this environment, Day and June get familiar with death fast, for better or for worse.
Questions About Mortality
- Why is the government using its own citizens to test the plague?
- Why does Day run away after his Trial?
- How did June's parents die and why?
- Do June and Day really fear death? Why or why not?
Chew on This
June and Day are brought together by their shared experiences with death and grief; they understand the pain that the other person has gone through.
In the Republic of America, human life is no longer valued. Instead it's all about power, and it doesn't matter who the government kills to achieve its goals.