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Chapter 12
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Among the Hidden, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Propaganda, Fear, and Control
Privilege, Wealth, and Perspective
Protest and Resistance
Coming of Age, Independence, and Family
Summary
Analysis
For a moment, Luke stands against the house, breathing the fresh air. He’s been inside for months now, and those months feel like a dream. But he knows being outside is dangerous, so he crouches and hurries along the barn. He pauses before he crosses the open expanse between the barn and the Sports Family’s house—Luke has never been in such an open space before. He can almost hear Mother shouting for him to come inside. Luke knows he should go back, but instead, he runs forward. His house now feels like a prison. Luke sprints for the sliding screen door and tugs on it—but it’s locked.
Being outside again is transformative for Luke. He remembers now how much he loves being outside—and his house might be safe, but Luke starts to wonder if it’s better to live dangerously outside than to stay inside forever. As he crosses the yards, Luke also begins to build more of a life for himself that has nothing to do with his parents. He’s disobeying them to do what he feels he must do. This is one way he continues to come of age.
Themes
