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Chapter 22
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
Luke is so angry when he gets home that he lets the kitchen door slam behind him. Jen is so superior and thinks that just because she’s a privileged Baron she’s special. She’s “just some dumb old girl,” and Luke wishes he’d never met her. Luke thinks Jen can go flaunt her status as a third child at the president’s house, and he hopes someone shoots her. But as soon as he has this thought, he wishes he could take it back. Remembering her sign slogan “Give me liberty or give me death,” Luke wonders if she’s actually prepared to die. If she is, he should go to protect her.
For the first time in his life, Luke is letting his emotions show a little bit, as when he lets the door slam. This suggests that he’s becoming less afraid of the Government getting him, thanks to Jen’s tutelage. Wishing for Jen’s death highlights how afraid Luke is—but it’s also impossible for him not to wonder if Jen will die. She seems afraid of so little, especially compared to Luke.
Themes
Hours later, Mother finds Luke with his head in his hands. He wants to tell Mother everything, but then Mother says she knows Luke is safe at home. Luke realizes he can’t tell Mother. He can’t betray Jen. He insists he’s fine.
Because of all the emotions he’s experiencing, Luke wants to be a little boy who can tell his mother everything so she’ll comfort him. It’s a sign of his maturity that he doesn’t—he has to protect Jen, which means dealing with his emotions on his own.
Themes
