Genre
science fiction
Setting and Context
A dystopic future where the humanity expanded over the solar system and separated into modified species of humans.
Narrator and Point of View
Narrator: Darrow
Point of view: first person
Tone and Mood
Tone: criticizing, contemplative;
Mood: nightmarish, grim
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: Darrow, a young boy from a species of human workers on Mars called the Reds; Antagonist: the tyranny system of the species of humans called the Golds who rule the solar system, ArchGovernor Augustus
Major Conflict
Darrow, a mine worker in the underground of Mars where the worker human species called the Reds preside, discovers the truth about Mars, which became habitable centuries ago despite the Reds being kept in belief that their work is intended for just that, after his wife sacrifices herself to make a path for him to avenge his people and free them from the shackles.
Climax
Darrow from the house of Mars wins the tournament between the different school houses, after killing one of the Proctors and taking control over the entire terrain. He goes under his nemesis's, the Archgoverner Augustus's, wing to grow and became his right hand.
Foreshadowing
"More blood will stain these hands, because Titus is a mad dog and must be put down."
-After discovering that Titus is another Red, Darrow has to make a difficult choice, one that foreshadows his future of many difficult sacrifices to come.
Understatement
"Look into yourself, Darrow, and you'll realize that you are a good man who will have to do bad things."
Allusions
Allusions to Greek and Roman mythology with names like Apollo, Minerva and others.
Imagery
Imagery of the poverty and bad conditions of living beneath the surface of Mars where the Reds exhort themselves is in stark contrast with the lush and blooming habitable surface of it.
Paradox
"Here, the woman is king."
-Darrow after being awakened from death, and his first impression of the cruel and commanding Harmony.
Parallelism
"We grew together, and now are grown. In her eyes, I see my heart. In her breath, I hear my soul. She is my land. She is my kin. My love."
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Helldiver-a name for the Reds who go deep beneath the surface of Mars to extract helium-3 at the high risk of their lives.
Personification
"No, they follow us because Cassius is charismatic as the sun and, in his light, the shadow I cast looks like it knows what it's doing."
