Previous
Chapter 28
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Glass Sword, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Oppression, Cruelty, and Inequality
Division and Hierarchy
Identity and Change
Betrayal, Distrust, and Isolation
Justice vs. Vengeance
Summary
Analysis
In the mess hall, the Colonel gathers all the volunteers for a “top-priority operation.” The crowd is made up of Lakelanders, Guardsmen, and newbloods from the Notch. Cal, Julian, and Sara also come, though their presence is met with some resistance. Kilorn sits next to Mare with casual friendliness, and she’s surprised that he’s treating her so normally. She thought Kilorn hated her now, but he assures her that he doesn’t hold her behavior on the jet after Shade died against her.
Many Reds dislike having Silvers in their midst because they view all Silvers as their enemies. However, Cal, Julian, and Sara’s attendance showcases their support of the Scarlet Guard. The gathering of Reds, newbloods, and Silvers for a common cause hints that the fight for equality is best fought with allies from across the blood divide. Additionally, Kilorn’s continued support of Mare proves that Mare has trustworthy and loving friends who stay by her side even when she’s made mistakes.
Active
Themes
The Colonel and Mare explain their plan for the mission to save the Little Legion. Mare and her team will infiltrate the legion and lead the kids through the Choke to meet the Colonel’s forces on the Lakelander side. From there, the children will be ferried to safety. The Colonel clarifies that the Lakelanders have pulled away most of their troops to attack Norta on a different front, so the Choke will be open. Many people volunteer for the mission—including Kilorn, Cal, and many newbloods—but not Farley.
Mare’s alliance with the Colonel demonstrates that it’s possible to move past division, distrust, and prejudice to work together toward a shared goal. Like Kilorn, Cal demonstrates his dependability when he chooses to support Mare even though he’s disagreed with some of her choices before. That Reds, newbloods, and a Silver volunteer for the new mission illustrates the importance of cooperation, not division, between people of different kinds of blood. Saving innocent Red lives shouldn’t be a concern only for other Reds but for everyone who values justice.
Active
Themes
Later, Mare and her family bury Shade in Tuck’s new cemetery. There, Mare learns that Nix, Ketha, Gareth, and 42 other people died in Corros. Even if 300 people escaped, Mare struggles to understand whether or not the prison assault was worth the high cost. During Shade’s funeral, Mare watches Gisa hug Farley, jealous of their closeness. In contrast, no one comforts Mare. Kilorn grieves Shade at a distance.
Active
Themes
Mare laments the unfairness of Shade’s death, which Jon allowed to happen. Before leaving the cemetery, Farley tells Mare that she’s not going to the Choke. She doesn’t think Mare truly understands her reasoning or the question that Jon helped her answer. When she names all the people she’s lost, Farley includes her father, even though the Colonel is alive. Mare replies, “No real father could ever be truly lost to the child he loves.” These words bring Farley hope, and she reconciles with Mare in a small way.
Active
Themes
Get the entire Glass Sword LitChart as a printable PDF.
"My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." -Graham S.
Mare says goodbye to her parents and sister on the runway in front of the Blackrun. She promises to protect Bree and Tramy, and her mom begs her to keep herself safe as well. Gisa gifts her a piece of black silk that she started embroidering a long time ago, back in the Stilts. In return, Mare gives Gisa a single earring, which moves Gisa to tears.
Active
Themes
On board the Blackrun, Mare examines her team, which includes 18 Guardsmen, Kilorn, Nanny, Cameron, Bree, Tramy, and Cal. Mare won’t speak to or sit next to Cal. The Guardsmen seem to make Cal uncomfortable. Mare remembers that Cal once claimed not to be part of her revolution, though she thinks to herself that he might as well be. She tries to imagine the king Cal could have become, but she doesn’t understand Cal’s heart, or even her own.
Active
Themes
As the Blackrun flies near Corvium and River Town, Mare wonders how people will react to her broadcast, which is currently playing throughout the entire kingdom. Suddenly, from the cockpit window, Cal sees fires and other signs of rioting in the city and slums. Mare realizes that the war has begun. Even though this is the outcome she wanted, she feels panicked and sick. Her roiling emotions affect the jet, and Cal tries to help her calm down.
Active
Themes
An alarm blares, and the plane explodes. Mare and Cal hold on to each other as they fall through the sky. Magnetrons reshape the wrecked jet into a cage around Mare and the others. Mare wishes she could apologize to Cal and confess that she loves and needs him. She sees an apology in Cal’s eyes as well.
Active
Themes
The metal cage stops in the air just before it hits the ground. A section of metal bars dissolves, and Mare falls into a forest clearing. A strongarm wrestles her, wearing gloves that make him impervious to her electricity. Simultaneously, magnetrons bind Cal, Kilorn, Mare’s brothers, and the rest of her team members in chains. Maven emerges from the shadows, and Mare begs him to stop. Desperate to save the people she loves so that she won’t be alone, Mare proposes a trade. She agrees to surrender to Maven if he agrees to release everyone else. Maven smiles and accepts the deal.
Active
Themes
