How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The smile she offered him was wobbly. He felt like he had to help her. (2.38-39)
Yeah, if by "worked out" you mean that Luke is still alive. But in every other having-a-normal-life way, we'd have to say—nope. It has not worked out.
Quote #2
"But I didn't see you leave¬--" Luke protested.
Jen looked at him as if she seriously wondered if he had a brain. "Of course not. I was hiding. The backseat of our car is hollowed out - Dad had it custom-built." (17.10-11)
Getting to go out into the real world doesn't seem like a hiding to us, and probably not to Luke, either. But Jen does have to sneak her way, out so we'll give her that.
Quote #3
"Last time I counted, I had contact with eight hundred kids."
Luke shook his head. He didn't think even his parents knew that many people.
"So what is the password?" he asked.
"'Free,'" Jen said. "It's 'free'." (18.41-44)
Of course, the password would be "free." After all, that's the ultimate goal of all the shadow children. Not exactly the most secure password, of course.
Quote #4
"No, of course I wouldn't rather hide," Jen said irritably. "But getting one of those I.D.'s--that's just a different way of hiding." (20.20)
Touché, Jen. A fake I.D. conceals someone's true identity just as much as hiding in an attic, except for the whole being able to go outside part of it. The point is, according to Jen, that a fake I.D. still confines somebody within someone else's identity. And Jen Talbot doesn't want to be anyone but Jen Talbot.
Quote #5
For the first time, Luke felt a glimmer of pride, that he dealt with hiding better than anyone else in his family would. (20.32)
Hm, maybe. On the other hand, this sounds like a chicken and egg sort of deal: is Luke really better at hiding than then rest of his family, or is he just good at hiding because he's had to do it for his whole life? (And anyway, is being good at hiding really something to celebrate?)
Quote #6
"What kind of sign do you want to carry? 'I deserve a life' or 'End the Population Law now!' or--this is one I found in an old book--'Give me liberty or give me death'?" (22.24)
Jen wastes no time in rounding up some slogans to throw into the Government's face, with the last one having an especially ominous tone. But notice that each one carries a distinct message: the first demands human rights; the second appeals for law reform; and the third ties their struggle to the freedom fighters of years past. Which sign would you carry?
Quote #7
"Why?" Jen's dad asked. He was sobbing. "Did she want to die?"
"No," Luke said. "She wanted to live. Not die. Not hide. Live." (27.50-51)
Guess we know which one won out in that liberty/death battle. But Luke makes sure to emphasize exactly what Jen believed in—freedom, living freedom for all shadow children.
Quote #8
"You know about the famines?"
Luke nodded.
"Before that, our country believed in freedom and democracy and equality for all. Then the famines came, and the government was overthrown." (28.28-30)
Freedom, democracy, and equality sounds like a pretty good deal to us, but we have to wonder if the past just looks especially rosy from this grim future. After all, believing in freedom, democracy, and equality doesn't mean that everyone actually gets it.
Quote #9
But even if he got a fake I.D., what would he do?
The answer was there instantly, as if he'd known it all along and his brain was just waiting for him to come looking.
He could do something to help other third children come out of hiding. (29.67-69)
… after he sneaks into the 21+ club, that is. J/K. Luke would never do something that selfish. For him, getting a fake I.D. means being able to bring others to freedom, too.
Quote #10
"Someday when we're all free, all the third children, I'll tell everyone about you. They'll erect statues to you, and name holidays after you..." (30.39)
Even in death, Jen Talbot helps other people: who wouldn't love not going to school because of Jen Talbot Day? If Luke is able to achieve what he sets out to do, Jen will totally deserve that day, too.