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Chapter 19
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
To Luke’s surprise, the winter is mild, and since there’s no snow to leave footprints in, he visits Jen often. He even stops getting so anxious about running across the yards—Dad is the only person Luke worries about, since he’s usually inside during the winter. But even Dad is often gone; he spends a lot of time at the library researching hydroponics. Luke brags to Jen one day that he got Dad excited about hydroponics after reading about it in one of Jen’s books. Jen asks if the Government will actually let Dad grow plants that way—they take issue with all sorts of odd things for no apparent reason.
Luke is slowly adjusting to his new life and the increased freedom he has right now. It also feels good that he was the one to suggest hydroponics—it makes Luke feel more useful in his family than he perhaps ever has. Jen, though, calls into question whether Luke is actually being helpful, since she reminds him that the Government isn’t at all logical about their laws. The lack of logic may be part of how the Government gains control: by being unpredictable, and by demanding people obey anyway.
Themes
Jen turns back to her computer and rejoins the chat room conversation about fake IDs. Carlos, Pat, and Yolanda discuss the expense and whether it’s better to wait until they’re older and can get an adult ID. Jen angrily types that they shouldn’t need fake IDs. She’s been refusing to get one for years because she wants ID that says who she really is. This is why they need the rally; none of them should have to hide. After she sends her message, Luke timidly asks about the ID Jen uses to go shopping with Jen’s mom. Jen says that’s just a shopping pass; the kids in the chat room are talking about taking on fake identities permanently and going to live with new families.
Jen frames the ID issue as a matter of dignity. Having their own IDs, with their real names, would give shadow children the dignity and respect that they crave. Fake IDs of all sorts, she insists, are just a way of giving up and giving in to a system that would rather they not exist at all. And again, Jen makes it clear that she believes public protest is the only way to change things. She is unwilling to accept a middle ground—if these kids won’t come to the rally, they’re against her.
Themes
Luke asks if Jen would really rather hide, but he also can’t imagine becoming a new person and living with a new family. Jen snaps that a fake ID is just a different way of hiding. This is why she has to convince everyone to go to the rally. The chat is silent for a moment, and then Carlos snarkily suggests Jen watch her blood pressure. Jen turns off the computer and screams in frustration. She says she can’t take it anymore. Why aren’t any of her other friends taking this seriously? Luke suggests that they just express themselves differently—the kids make jokes, while Jen screams.
The way that Luke thinks about fake IDs suggests he’s learning about them for the first time—another sign of how poor his family is (since in the previous passage it was implied that the IDs are expensive). It’s inconceivable to Jen that her online friends might not agree with her completely about how terrible and dehumanizing fake IDs are. But in general, Jen tends to downplay how afraid other shadow kids are of getting caught—recall how sharp she’s been with Luke when he’s expressed fear of the computer, for instance.
Themes
Luke is proud of himself for making this realization, since he doesn’t know many people. He wonders how each of his family members would handle having to hide, and he realizes that he’s the best suited to having to hide. Jen, though, scoffs at Luke’s suggestion and turns her computer back on—she has to get everyone on board with the rally by April. She barely seems to notice Luke slip away hours later.
Again, Luke is starting to think critically, a sign of his increasing maturity. However, he does miss that he’s perhaps best suited to hiding because he’s been hiding his whole life—it would be a major upset if one of his brothers had to hide, as they’ve been free their whole lives. So he’s thinking more critically, but he’s not yet skilled at seeing all the reasons why things are the way they are.
Themes
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