Part One:
Teenagers find the dystopian genre captivating because dystopian books remind them of the real world. The relatability of someone struggling against the world entices teenagers. Not only that, but the decision-making surrounding the dystopian topics helps develop the teen’s brain. The experts say that dystopian books are suitable for teenagers because they start to understand arguments, logical reasoning, and hypotheticals. It also lets them figure out where they stand on important issues brought up in dystopian novels. I can tell that the novel is about some pandemic and gives dystopian vibes.
The epigraph encapsulates being overwhelmed by the world and establishes some angst. The “bright side of the planet” moving towards the “darkness” implies that everything good has turned into something terrible. For example, it could be interpreted as all of the technology or lights in the world stopped working, which is why “the cities are falling asleep.” Also, the epigraph is reminiscent of the pessimism and cynicism found in dystopian themes.
Part Two:
This scene opens the novel because it establishes pathos and the irony of nobody knowing what will happen next. It describes how the world was before the pandemic. My impression of Jeevan is that he deeply cares about others and has an unhealthy relationship with Laura. Since Laura dipped on Jeevan when Jeevan was trying to save a man’s life, I interpret Laura as a selfish, uncaring person. Kirsten seems like a sweet little girl who is about to get traumatized. I want to know how fast The Georgian Flu spreads and kills the infected. Are any of our characters immune to The Georgian Flu? Does Laura die?
Reader's Journal:
"He stopped to read a text message from Laura: I had a headache so I went home. Can you pick up milk? And here, all momentum left him. He could go no farther" (Mandel 11).
The feeling of momentum leaving him reminds me of disappointment in a loved one. It also reminds me of when you get bad news, stopping you in your tracks. This quote struck me because it reminded me of when I was told that my ex-boyfriend was cheating and the disappointment that came with it. Also, Laura left Jeevan behind, yet she expected him to pick up milk, which irked me. I detest Laura as a character so far.
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