The Young Elites Theme Essay

In the book, “The Young Elites”, by Marie Lu, a frequent theme is, “Power Comes With a Price”. Lu Displays this theme in the beginning, middle, and end of the book. In the beginning, the theme shows up when Rafaelle wants to kill Adelina. In the middle, the theme shows up when Teren blackmails Adelina. And in the end the theme shows up when Adelina accidentally uses her powers to kill Enzo.
The author first introduces the theme when Enzo and Rafaelle are having an interaction about Adelina. They are talking about Adelina’s traits, and her power, “Get rid of her now”, “After all that trouble you’re asking me to kill her”? “Enzo every one of her memories is laced with darkness” (Pg 84). This scene is important because it directly shows that

Adelina has the power to create illusions, and Rafaelle and Enzo feel that she can be the most powerful out of all of The Young Elites, and that is why Rafaelle wants to kill Adelina. The author uses foreshadowing a lot

So Enzo is forced to challenge him to a duel, to save Rafaelle, which puts Enzo, and Adelina's life in danger. This happens when Teren threatens Rafaelle in front of the whole city, and Enzo has to save him, “If I win, lead inquisitor”, Enzo continues, “Then inquisition will release the boy you hold hostage, If you win I will be dead” (291). This scene was very important in the book, and supports the theme because it displays how Enzo has to sacrifice himself, and fight Teren to save Raffaele, who is being held hostage because of his power. Another very important scene in the book happens when Enzo, Violetta, and Adelina, are all trying to defeat Enzo. A particular part in this scene which is the most important, is when Adeina accidentally hurts Enzo, “And that's when I realize, in horror, that I have attacked Enzo instead” (322). This was a very important scene, and it really showed how power comes with a price. Because Adelina has so much power, she uses it to accidentally hurt Enzo and doing this leads to his death. If Adeina didn't have as much power, Enzo would not have died. All this led to Adelina being alone. She has nobody now, and she is in the same mental state as she was in the very beginning. In this part of the story, the author used long scenes to slow down the story, when Enzo, Violetta, and Adelina are fighting Teren. This was the most