Downsiders

“Hiding below the surface are many more solutions to the woes of civilization—from hundreds of miles of subway lines, to thousands of miles of utility tunnels, all so twisted and confused that no Topsider can truly know what lies beneath.”

The narrator shares their thoughts on the purpose of cities. Cities solve problems, but they also create conflict. The images of the miles of subway lines and tunnels hint that people can find ways to live unnoticed and underneath New York City.

“Railborn looked at him sharply, for Talon was not supposed to offer anything to the faller but a chance. No kind words. No directions.”

This passage speaks to the themes of Breaking Rules and Norms and Compassion Versus Cruelty. Throughout the novel, it is often kinder to break the rules than to follow them. Talon breaks the rules and shows Robert compassion. Railborn, Talon’s foil, is a stickler for rules and disapproves of Talon’s conduct. His disapproval foreshadows their later conflict when Talon meets Lindsay.

“The people’s minds have been scorched by the sun until they can’t tell up from down. That’s why they build towers instead of tunnels, like normal people.”

Talon reinforces the motif of clashing civilizations when he perpetuates the narrative that Topsiders are not very smart. Downsider rhetoric often features dramatic irony, and Talon twists the meaning of “normal people.”