How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Actually, Luke didn't know if there was anyone else like him. He wasn't supposed to exist. Maybe he was the only one. (2.3)
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? If a boy is born at home and no one records it, does he really exist? Deep questions, Shmoopers.
Quote #2
His favorites were the handful of adventure books, the ones that let him pretend he was a knight fighting a dragon to rescue a kidnapped princess, or an explorer sailing on the high seas, holding tight to a mast while a hurricane raged about him.
He liked to forget he was Luke Garner, third child hidden in the attic. (7.8-9)
Playing make-believe is one thing—and a pretty normal childhood impulse—but it's quite another to focus all your games on pretending you're someone other than you are. This is a big clue that Luke isn't going to be happy living in an attic forever.
Quote #3
"I mean, you're another shadow child. Right?"
"Shadow--?" Luke wondered why his brain seemed to be slowing down. Was it just because she seemed several miles ahead of him?
"That's not the term you use?" she asked. "I thought 'shadow child' was universal. But, you know, an illegal, someone whose parents broke Population Law 3903. A third." (15.7-9)
No punches pulled here. Jen's proud of who she is and, as we'll soon find out, passionate in pursuing public recognition of her identity.
Quote #4
"You can say it," the girl coaxed. "'I'm a third child.' Why should there be anything wrong with that?" (15.11)
Uh, because there's an entire group of Nazi-esque police out to kill you exactly for being a third child? Jen may take pride in her identity, but that's not necessarily enough. It's going to take a whole lot of change before her society will accept her for who she is.
Quote #5
"I'm fine," he said, and went back to eating silently.
But he was worrying. Worrying that maybe the Government was right and that he shouldn't exist. (19.27-28)
Yeah, guess Jen's little pep rally didn't work, or else the Government has really gotten inside Luke's head. But just imagine spending most of your life knowing that you're not supposed to exist—eventually, you'd probably start believing it a little.
Quote #6
"...My parents have been begging me to get a fake I.D. for years, but I won't until I can have one that says 'Jen Talbot' and is really mine.
Have you all forgotten the rally? We're all gonna get real I.D.'s that say who we really are!!!! WE AREN'T FAKES! WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO HIDE!" (20.13-14)
Good point: an I.D. that doesn't really identify who you are isn't much of a victory, is it? Jen Talbot isn't about to let some stinkin' Government tell her that she doesn't deserve to exist. Too bad that the Government is the one with the big guns and the riot police.
Quote #7
"What they're talking about"--she pointed at the computer screen--"is taking on a fake identity permanently. Most shadow kids do that eventually--they go live with another family and pretend to be someone they aren't for the rest of their lives." (20.18)
If you had to choose between your family and your freedom, what would you decide? Yeah, tough choice—especially for a couple of twelve-year-olds.
Quote #8
He didn't care about the clothes, but he wished they'd let him keep his name, at least. (30.2)
Luke needs to bust out in some Jim Croce and let the Government know that he already has a name. Just goes to show how closely names and identities are intertwined.
Quote #9
The real Lee Grant was a Baron. He had died in a skiing accident just the night before. His parents wanted nothing to do with Luke--"too painful," Jen's father had explained--but they had agreed to donate their son's name and identity card the way people had once donated hearts and kidneys. (30.4)
Trading identities like Pokémon cards doesn't really make them seem special. However, equating an I.D. to be as important as hearts and kidneys? That's a powerful indicator of just how important legal identity is.
Quote #10
Lee Grant turned around to see what lay ahead. (30.41)
And the transformation has begun. How will Luke adjust to being Lee? Welp, guess we'll be picking up a copy of Among the Imposters.