Life's a Game of Cards

You stand there. The one you love is before you, close enough to touch. You want to whisper sweet vows to them, promise them that you are theirs. But you can't. Not anymore. You are the Atlas of your world; you have the burden of everyone's future on you. They are relying on you, expecting you to help them, save them. You can't. Why this choice, the choice of choosing between the love of your life and your country, has been given to you, is utterly beyond your understanding. But you were meant for greatness. And you must choose now. In Prodigy by Marie Lu, June and Day struggle with an alliance with the Patriots and the fact that the new Elector could actually change the Republic. But in order for the Republic to change, they must both make choices: Day must choose between Tess and June; June must choose between Day and Anden. Through all the turmoil, passion, grief, and action in this story, the reader sees that no matter how hard we wish for our lives to be perfect, we can't each live in an ideal world, and we have to play with the cards we are dealt with.

We can easily see conflict in the lives of June and Day, who love each other almost too much to let each other go. However, a growing tension and awkwardness seems to rapidly evolve between them as the story progresses. For example, Day does not wish to believe what Tess says about June, but he knows in his heart that what she says rings with truth, and he eventually comes to terms with the fact that there is no way his relationship with June could continue the way they would want it to, especially with their harsh pasts. Day says to June, when finally confessing to her that there is no way it could ever work out, that "there are just...too many things that have happened...too many things." To make the pain of his conflict even worse, the poor people of the Republic are relying on him to fulfill their needs and give them voice; however, he can't do it alone, and the only person who can push his goal into reality is June. Day sees that he has to sacrifice her for the future he wants to see evolve, a heart shattering choice to make.

This realization of priorities is also seen in June, when she finally understands what Day tries to say to her, that they will never be able to be together. She desperately tries to come up with any solution that would save their future together, but eventually comes face to face with the downfalls of naivety and ignorance, when she is faced with the truth and tries to run away. She later laments, "How could I be so arrogant to assume that it would all work out in the end, that my doing a couple of good deeds could make up for all the pain I caused him? The truth will never change." This feeling described by June's thoughts is one of inferiority and helplessness, especially since she has been able to slip past multiple tight spots. But, June must learn, as well as many teens around the world, that there are times when you have to be brave and face the consequences of the truth.

It is very hard to let someone go, even if it will benefit the both of you. You may be reluctant to bring the issue to the surface because of how much you've been through together. But, if you really loved them, wouldn't you want to let them go, so you could both heal and be happy? June realizes that no matter how hard she tries, her wish to be with Day would never come true because they had both gone through so much pain, and because their early pasts would haunt them forever.

Now you stand before a cheering crowd, head held high, proud. Your exterior gives off a brave, triumphant stance, but inside you hurt like the furious waves of the ocean are slamming you against a rough wall, over and over and over. You gave up your love, ripped it apart, all for your country. Your lover understood, though, and with tears told you to reach for your full potential. But how will you cope with the loss of them? How can you heal, knowing that you are losing them through a decision that was entirely your own? Nevertheless, you have to be strong, for them. For everyone. After all, life's a game of cards, and you have to play the cards you are dealt with.