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Chapter 28
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
Jen’s dad shoves Luke into a closet and says there’s a secret door in the back. Luke gropes his way to the back of the closet, listening to Jen’s dad mutter for the computer to turn on and the Population Police break the door down. Jen’s dad confronts the police in the hallway and makes it seem like he was on the toilet; the officers tease him about his fly being down. Though Luke would be terrified of Jen’s dad and his real-seeming rage, the officers aren’t—they ask to search the house. Jen’s dad snaps that he sent a memo earlier this morning explaining he was going to keep posing as a third child in the chat rooms. He says he’s been pretending to be Jen all along—and he notes that he was just praised for “the disposal of forty illegals.”
Keep in mind that if Jen’s dad has been sabotaging the Population Police as a matter of course, this act is likely second nature to him. He knows how to make it look like he believes in their mission while quietly thwarting them (as by shoving Luke in the closet here). Luke may think Jen’s dad’s act is so frightening because Jen’s dad has so much more power than he does—but it’s unclear how far above the field officers Jen’s dad is in the hierarchy. They might also be Barons, and they seem to not find Jen’s dad’s anger as impressive.
Themes
Luke would totally believe Jen’s dad’s act if he didn’t know the truth and trust the man. But he’s also afraid, given how coldly Jen’s dad talks about “dispos[ing]” of third children. He burrows deeper into the closet and finds the back wall, but no door. Now Luke can barely hear what’s going on outside the closet; he can sort of hear the men surrounding the computer. Then, he hears an officer say he’s going to search the house. Jen’s dad threatens to sue and invites the officers to start their search in the closet where Luke is hiding. As he flings open the door, Luke yanks a blanket over his head.
Again, Luke marvels at how good of an actor Jen’s dad is—this is new for him, as he’s used to his parents telling the truth except for when it comes to him. It’s still unsettling, though, for Luke to hear Jen’s dad talk about third children in such a callous manner. Using language like this might be necessary to keep up the charade, but it still has a negative affect on Luke, one of those third children whom the Population Police wants to get rid of.
Themes
Everything is quiet for a moment, and then the officers seem to flip through the clothes on the hanging bar—and then they go away. Luke is terrified. He hopes the officers will let him go home and say goodbye to Mother and Dad, but he knows they’ll just kill him. Luke is still frantically planning his escape or his arrest when Jen’s dad opens the closet, pulls the blanket off of Luke, and covers Luke’s mouth. He holds a paper up on which he’s written that the Population Police are gone and Luke is safe, but Luke can’t talk. When Luke nods, Jen’s dad writes that the house is bugged. Luke is confused, so Jen’s dad explains that bugs are listening devices.
Luke hasn’t had much practice trusting people outside his immediate family, so it’s difficult for him to trust that Jen’s dad is actually going to be able to keep him safe until he opens the closet again. However, things have become more dangerous if the Population Police have bugged the house and Jen’s dad. It exposes again how sheltered Luke is that he hasn’t heard of bugs. Also, if the Government has to resort to actively bugging houses, it likely confirms that they’re not actually watching through most televisions or computers.
Themes
Jen’s dad writes that he bribed the Population Police with fur coats in the closet. Luke is aghast; why would anyone want a coat made of dead animals? But Jen’s dad keeps writing. He writes that he never filed the memo, so he’s in trouble now. The officers are clearly out to get him. Luke writes back and asks where the door is in the back of the closet—but Jen’s dad says there isn’t one. Luke doesn’t know if he can trust a man who’s such a good liar, but somehow, he can tell Jen’s dad is trustworthy.
Once again, Luke feels like he’s in the middle of a dangerous situation that he doesn’t understand at all. Jen’s dad seems trustworthy, but also like a liar—and he’s willing to manipulate Luke to keep Luke safe. So Luke has a choice now: will he trust this man who has kept him safe by deceiving him, or will he go back into hiding?
Themes
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Still writing, Jen’s dad asks if Luke wants a fake ID. When Luke asks if he’s safe without one, Jen’s dad says he probably is—the Population Police are after him, not Luke. But it’s still safer to get an ID. Luke asks if he can think about it. Really, he wants time to grieve for Jen and think, since he doesn’t want to think about difficult things at the moment. But Jen’s dad writes that this might be Luke’s last chance. He has power in the Government now, but there’s no telling when he’ll fall out of favor. Luke’s eyes blur as he thinks about the life he’s lived so far. He’s certain Matthew and Mark will continue to care for him, and he knows his life is limited. But Luke is also bored and desperate.
As Luke asks Jen’s dad questions before making a choice about a fake ID, he shows how he’s learned to think critically. This isn’t a simple yes or no question for him: it’s essential, Luke believes, that he has all the information to weigh so he can make a choice that makes sense. Jen’s dad makes it clear that he thinks Luke should get an ID, but he respects Luke’s autonomy by not pressuring Luke to agree to get one. This helps Luke feel more mature, and more like he can make this choice for himself.
Themes
Luke realizes that with a fake ID, he can help other third children. He wouldn’t hold rallies like Jen or track down fake IDs like Jen’s dad. But he can come up with ideas to make sure there’s enough food for people, or change the laws so farmers can use hydroponics. Maybe he could even figure out how to live on the moon. He realizes that maybe he was wrong to tell Jen that only Barons can make change. Maybe he can make change because he’s not an entitled Baron. Knowing he can’t do anything in hiding, he writes that he’d like a fake ID.
Suddenly, things come together for Luke. Jen’s rally might not have been successful at changing things, but it has done something important: inspire Luke to get a fake ID so he can resist the Population Law in other ways. He realizes there are lots of ways to tackle the root problems of overpopulation and not enough food—and perhaps if he can fix those problems, the shadow children’s problem will also resolve.
Themes
