Not only are there lots of smart, clever people in Little Brother, there are lots of clever historical figures too. Turns out things like math and politics can be super awesome. (Yes. Even math.)
Being clever doesn't mean just knowing the right answers, though. It means knowing the why and the how. It's about knowing when people are lying and when they're not. It's about setting up a secret system within a secret system so that no one can read your messages. Know the right stuff and you can change the world. Or at least have a pretty good shot at doing it.
And even better—in this book being older doesn't mean you're smarter. Remember: "Don't trust anyone over 25" (11.94).
Questions About Cunning and Cleverness
- What characters show cunning and cleverness in Little Brother? What do they use their cunning for?
- Who's cleverer: Marcus or Jolu? Support your answer with evidence from the novel.
- Are people afraid of hackers because they seem to be cleverer and smarter than "normal" people?
Chew on This
In Little Brother, power only stays with people who are clever.
Knowing all the answers can still get you into trouble with law enforcement agencies.