How does Matthias end up at Population Police headquarters, despite being an illegal third child?

During a skirmish, Matthias inadvertently saves a Population Police officer from a rebel attack. Instead of exposing him, the officer, Officer Nissen, brings Matthias back to headquarters, believing he can be molded into a loyal recruit, thus giving Matthias an unexpected entry into the very organization that hunts his kind.

Who is Nina and what is her initial role in Matthias's journey at headquarters?

Nina is another third-born child who is also training at Population Police headquarters. She quickly befriends Matthias, revealing her true allegiance lies with the rebels and enlisting his help in a dangerous plot to undermine the Population Police from within, making her a crucial ally and catalyst for Matthias's actions.

What is the ultimate goal of Nina's plan, and how does Matthias fit into it?

Nina's ultimate goal is to expose the Population Police's oppressive practices and dismantle their system by revealing the existence of all third-borns, not just the ones they 're-educate.' Matthias, with his unique position and access, is instrumental in gathering information and executing the critical steps of her risky plan.

What is the significance of the 'special diet' and 'exercises' given to the third-borns at headquarters?

The 'special diet' and 'exercises' are subtle methods used by the Population Police to control and potentially brainwash the third-born children. They are designed to weaken their resolve, make them compliant, and erase their memories of their original families and identity, effectively turning them into loyal agents of the state.

Are there any clues about Officer Nissen's true motivations or potential conflicted loyalties?

While Officer Nissen initially appears to be a loyal Population Police officer, his decision to bring Matthias in rather than report him, and his occasional moments of leniency, hint at a deeper complexity. He might be disillusioned with aspects of the system or genuinely believe in 'reforming' third children, rather than outright eliminating them, suggesting a subtle internal conflict.

What is the true purpose behind the Population Police's 'adoption' program for third-borns?

The 'adoption' program is a deceptive facade. Its true purpose is not to provide loving homes but to integrate selected third-borns into society as compliant citizens, often under new identities, while also serving as a means to identify and control them. This allows the Population Police to maintain the illusion of order while secretly manipulating their population.

How does Matthias's experience as a hidden third child influence his decision-making at headquarters?

Matthias's entire life has been defined by fear and secrecy, making him inherently cautious and observant. This upbringing allows him to navigate the treacherous environment of headquarters with a heightened sense of suspicion and an ability to read subtle cues, which is crucial for his survival and his eventual involvement in Nina's plot.

Analyze the psychological manipulation employed by the Population Police on the third-born children.

The Population Police employs a systematic psychological manipulation by isolating the children, stripping them of their identities, and providing a controlled environment. They use fear, the promise of safety, and a distorted sense of belonging to break down the children's resistance and reprogram them to accept the state's ideology, effectively erasing their pasts.

What internal conflict does Matthias face regarding trust, particularly with Nina and Officer Nissen?

Matthias grapples with profound trust issues, stemming from his life in hiding. He constantly questions Nina's motives and whether her rebel allegiance is genuine, while simultaneously trying to discern if Officer Nissen's occasional kindness is a genuine gesture or merely a sophisticated form of manipulation, leaving him in a perpetual state of vigilance.

How does Matthias's desire for belonging conflict with his loyalty to his family and the rebel cause?

Matthias, having lived a life of isolation, experiences a powerful yearning for belonging and acceptance, which the Population Police subtly exploits. This desire conflicts with his deep-seated loyalty to his family and the burgeoning rebel cause, creating an internal struggle between the comfort of perceived safety and the moral imperative to fight for freedom.

Is Matthias a hero by choice or circumstance? Discuss.

Matthias is largely a hero by circumstance, thrust into a pivotal role due to his unique situation as a third-born who inadvertently saves an officer. However, his subsequent choices to align with Nina and actively resist the Population Police demonstrate a growing moral agency, transforming him from a reluctant participant to a deliberate agent of change.

To what extent is the Population Police a reflection of real-world authoritarian regimes?

The Population Police strongly reflects real-world authoritarian regimes through its control over birth rates, surveillance, propaganda, and the re-education of dissidents. Its methods of stripping individuals of identity and forcing conformity mirror historical and contemporary examples of governments that prioritize state control over individual liberty and human rights.

How does the ending of 'Among the Enemy' offer hope while still acknowledging the ongoing struggle?

The ending offers hope by showcasing Matthias and Nina's successful exposure of the Population Police's secrets, igniting a spark of rebellion and awareness among the populace. However, it realistically acknowledges that the fight against the oppressive bureaucracy is far from over, implying that this is merely the beginning of a longer, more arduous struggle for true freedom.

Discuss the ethical dilemma of Nina's plan, particularly regarding the potential risks to other third-born children.

Nina's plan presents a significant ethical dilemma because it involves a high risk to all third-born children, potentially exposing them to greater danger from the Population Police. While her goal is liberation, the immediate consequences of her actions could lead to increased persecution, forcing Matthias to weigh the greater good against individual safety.

What is the symbolic meaning of Matthias's original name versus the name he is given at headquarters?

Matthias's original name represents his true identity and connection to his family, a symbol of his individuality. The new name he is given at headquarters is a tool of dehumanization and control, symbolizing the Population Police's attempt to erase his past and mold him into a compliant citizen, stripping away his personal history and autonomy.

Could Officer Nissen have been a double agent, working for the rebels or an internal reform movement?

While the book doesn't explicitly state it, Officer Nissen's actions — particularly his initial decision to save Matthias and his occasional subtle leniency — could be interpreted as signs of a conflicted loyalty or even a secret affiliation with the rebels or an internal reform movement. His character remains ambiguous enough to suggest he might not be entirely committed to the Population Police's ideology.

How does the concept of 'family' evolve for Matthias throughout the story?

Initially, family for Matthias is his biological parents and siblings, defined by shared hiding and survival. At headquarters, Nina and the other third-borns create a new, chosen family bound by shared oppression and a common cause. This evolution highlights that family can be forged through shared ideals and struggle, not just blood.

Among the Enemy Summary by Margaret Peterson Haddix | BookBrief

Name: Among the Enemy
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.16 (17383 reviews)
ISBN: 9780689857973

Trapped within the very headquarters of the oppressive Population Police, an illegal third-born child must decide whether to betray his own kind or become the unlikely spark of a rebellion from within.

Synopsis

Matthias, an illegal third child in a dystopian society, is caught in a skirmish between rebels and the Population Police. He saves an officer's life and is brought to their headquarters, forced into training as an officer while keeping his illegal birth a secret. Inside, he meets Nina, another third-born child secretly working against the regime. Nina enlists Matthias's help in a dangerous plot to expose the Population Police's actions to the public. Matthias must navigate the headquarters, gather evidence from hidden archives, and assist Nina in broadcasting their findings, all while under constant watch and unsure of whom to trust. Together, they transmit the truth, leading to a desperate escape and an uncertain future for Matthias as he becomes a key figure in the fight against the Population Police.

Reading time

240 min

Difficulty

Easy

Pacing

Fast

Mood

Suspenseful, Adventurous, Hopeful, Dystopian

✓ Read this if...

You enjoy dystopian stories with child protagonists who fight against oppressive systems, and you like a mix of suspense and adventure.

✗ Skip this if...

You prefer fantasy over science fiction or find stories about totalitarian regimes too dark for children's literature.

Plot Summary

The Forest Attack

Matthias, a twelve-year-old 'third child' hiding with his family in the woods, sees a skirmish between rebels and the Population Police. During the fight, Commander Hendricks, an officer, is injured and pinned under a tree. Despite his family's rule to avoid authorities, Matthias helps. He frees Hendricks, who is severely wounded. Before losing consciousness, Hendricks recognizes Matthias as a 'third child' but, instead of reporting him, sees his kindness as potential. He orders his subordinates to take Matthias to Population Police headquarters for an unknown purpose, changing Matthias's life.

Arrival at Headquarters

Matthias is taken to the heavily guarded Population Police headquarters. He is terrified, believing he will be executed for being an illegal third child. However, Commander Hendricks, recovering, offers Matthias a choice: death or a new life as a recruit. Matthias receives a new name, Alex, and a false identity as a legal second child whose family died. He is assigned to barracks with other recruits, all legal children, and begins to learn the strict rules and beliefs of the Population Police. He struggles to adapt to the disciplined life and the constant fear of being discovered.

Training and Indoctrination

Matthias, now 'Alex,' undergoes intense physical and ideological training. He learns about the 'necessity' of the Population Law, which limits families to two children to prevent overpopulation. Instructors, like the stern Sergeant Bob, preach about the dangers of 'shadow children' and rebels. Matthias, desperate to survive and maintain his cover, outwardly conforms, excelling in training. He learns self-defense, surveillance, and loyalty to the Population Police. Internally, he struggles with his past and his forced new reality, constantly fearing exposure.

Meeting Nina

During training, Matthias meets Nina, a seemingly ordinary recruit who is also a 'third child' in disguise. Nina, captured years ago and forced into the Population Police, subtly reveals her true identity and her loyalty to Mr. Talbot's resistance movement. She explains she has been undercover for years, gathering intelligence and looking for ways to undermine the regime. Nina recognizes Matthias's fear and his genuine nature, seeing him as a potential ally. She begins to test his loyalty and hints at a larger plan that needs his help, planting seeds of hope and danger in Matthias's mind.

The Plan to Expose

Nina tells Matthias about her mission: to find evidence that the Population Police are hoarding resources and manipulating information, not protecting the public. She believes hidden files or communications within the headquarters could expose their corruption. Nina proposes a plan: they must access restricted areas and find proof of the Population Police's lies. Matthias is hesitant, fearing failure, but Nina's conviction and their shared bond as 'third children' convince him. He realizes this is his chance to fight the system that oppressed his family.

Gathering Evidence

Matthias and Nina begin their covert operation, using their training and knowledge of the headquarters. They observe patrol routes, identify surveillance blind spots, and listen to conversations, gathering information. Nina, with more experience, knows key personnel and their habits. Matthias, with his fresh perspective, notices details others might miss. They find inconsistencies in official reports and hints of hidden agendas. Tension is constant, as any mistake could lead to exposure and severe punishment. Their trust in each other grows as they navigate the dangerous headquarters.

The Hidden Archives

Following a lead, Matthias and Nina find a concealed server room, a restricted area. They bypass security, using Nina's access codes and Matthias's agility. Inside, they find digital archives with incriminating evidence: true population statistics, records of resource hoarding, and plans to manipulate public opinion. The data confirms Nina's suspicions—the Population Police have been deceiving the public about resource scarcity to justify their laws and maintain control. They realize this information, if broadcast, could shatter the regime's credibility and spark rebellion.

The Broadcast Plan

With the evidence, Nina explains their next step: transmit the data to the outside world, specifically to Mr. Talbot's rebel forces, who can then share it with the public. They target the main communications hub within headquarters. The plan is risky, requiring them to access the hub during a brief window when security is relaxed and upload a large amount of data without detection. Matthias, though terrified, is determined. He understands the immense stakes and how this information could change the lives of countless 'third children' like him.

The Transmission

Matthias and Nina execute their plan to transmit the data. Under cover of night, they infiltrate the communications hub. Matthias acts as a lookout while Nina, using her technical skills, uploads the encrypted files. The process is slow. Just as the transmission nears completion, Sergeant Bob, on an unexpected patrol, approaches. A tense moment follows, but Nina, thinking quickly, creates a diversion, allowing the last of the data to be sent. They narrowly escape detection, leaving headquarters knowing their mission is complete, though their safety is now more uncertain.

Escape and Aftermath

After successfully transmitting the data, Matthias and Nina know they cannot stay at headquarters. They make a daring escape, using their knowledge of the building's less-guarded exits. They meet members of Mr. Talbot's resistance movement outside the city. Soon after, news of the Population Police's deception spreads quickly. Public outrage grows, and the regime's authority begins to crumble. Matthias, reunited with his true identity, looks toward a future where 'third children' might be free. He and Nina, now heroes, join the resistance, ready to fight for a new, just society.

Principal Figures

Matthias (Alex)

The Protagonist

Matthias transforms from a scared, hidden child into a courageous and resourceful agent of change, finding his voice and purpose in fighting for a better world.

Nina

The Supporting

Nina continues her long-term undercover mission, finding a crucial ally in Matthias to bring her efforts to fruition.

Commander Hendricks

The Supporting

Hendricks's role is primarily to initiate Matthias's journey into the Population Police, his personal arc remaining somewhat ambiguous.

Sergeant Bob

The Antagonist

Sergeant Bob remains a consistent enforcer of the Population Police's ideology, serving as a direct threat to Matthias and Nina.

Mr. Talbot

The Mentioned

Mr. Talbot's arc is largely off-screen, as he orchestrates the resistance from afar.

Matthias's Family

The Mentioned

Their collective arc is to be rescued and reunited with Matthias at the end, symbolizing the success of the resistance.

Themes & Insights

Identity and Deception

Identity is a central theme, as Matthias must abandon his true self and become 'Alex.' This deception is about survival and navigating moral complexities. He constantly questions who he is and who he pretends to be, a struggle worsened by the indoctrination he receives. Nina's long-term deception shows the psychological toll and strategic need of living a double life. This theme explores how appearances can hide inner truths and how individuals keep their core identity in oppressive environments, as Matthias holds onto memories of his family despite his 'Alex' facade.

“He was Alex now. He had to be Alex. But inside, he was still Matthias, still a third child, still a rebel.”

Resistance Against Oppression

The novel explores resistance against a totalitarian regime. The Population Police represent absolute control, enforcing brutal laws under the guise of public good. Matthias, a seemingly powerless 'third child,' becomes an unlikely hero who, with Nina, works to dismantle this oppressive system from within. Their actions, though small at first, show that individuals can challenge overwhelming power. Mr. Talbot's larger resistance movement provides context and hope, showing that collective action is possible and necessary to fight for freedom and justice against systematic injustice.

“What can one boy do against a wicked bureaucracy? Everything, if he has the truth.”

The Power of Information

Information is both a tool of control and a weapon of liberation. The Population Police maintain power by manipulating facts and controlling the narrative about overpopulation and resource scarcity. Their propaganda keeps the public compliant and fearful. Conversely, Matthias and Nina's mission involves uncovering the truth – the hidden data and genuine statistics that expose the regime's lies. Transmitting this information to the outside world becomes the catalyst for the regime's downfall, showing that truth, once revealed, can shatter even the most entrenched power systems and ignite revolution.

“The truth was a spark, and they were about to light a fire.”

Trust and Betrayal

In a world of constant surveillance and deception, trust is a precious and dangerous commodity. Matthias constantly wonders whom he can trust within the Population Police headquarters, where even a friendly face could be an informant. His initial suspicion of Nina eventually turns into deep, necessary trust as they embark on their dangerous mission. This theme highlights the risks of forming alliances in a repressive environment and how betrayal can come from unexpected sources, making the bond between Matthias and Nina even more significant and vital for their survival and success.

“In this place, trust was a luxury, a weapon, and a deadly gamble.”

Plot Devices & Literary Techniques

The 'Third Child' Status

A societal decree that labels children beyond the first two as illegal and subject to extermination.

This central plot device establishes the dystopian setting and the core conflict. It creates immediate stakes for Matthias and his family, forcing them into hiding and making Matthias's identity a constant source of danger. It also serves as a powerful symbol of the Population Police's oppressive control and the dehumanization of individuals. The existence of 'third children' drives the entire narrative, motivating both the resistance and the actions of the protagonists to fight against this unjust law.

Undercover Infiltration

Matthias and Nina's strategy of pretending to be loyal Population Police recruits.

This device is crucial to the plot, allowing the protagonists to gain access to the heart of the enemy's operations. It creates constant tension and suspense, as their true identities are always at risk of exposure. The infiltration enables them to gather intelligence and find the evidence needed to expose the Population Police, demonstrating that sometimes the most effective way to fight an enemy is from within their own ranks, by understanding and manipulating their systems.

The Hidden Archives/Data

A secret collection of incriminating information about the Population Police's true motives.

This device serves as the primary objective of Matthias and Nina's mission. It is the 'macguffin' that drives the plot forward, representing the definitive proof needed to expose the regime's corruption. The difficulty in accessing and transmitting this data builds suspense and highlights the power of truth in a world built on lies. Its discovery and dissemination are the turning point of the narrative, leading directly to the potential downfall of the Population Police.

Critical analysis

Notable Quotes

“Luke had always felt like an outcast, but here, among the enemy, he was just one of many.”

— Luke's initial feelings upon arriving at the Hendricks' house, a home for shadow children.

“Sometimes, you have to pretend to be someone you're not to find out who you really are.”

— Luke reflecting on his undercover role as Lee Grant at the Hendricks'.

“The hardest part of being a shadow child wasn't the hiding, it was the not existing.”

— Luke's internal monologue about the fundamental struggle of shadow children.

“Fear was a powerful motivator, but hope was even stronger.”

— Luke considering the motivations of the shadow children and their allies.

“Being free wasn't just about not being caught; it was about having choices.”

— Luke's evolving understanding of freedom as he experiences life outside his attic.

“You can't change the past, but you can change the future.”

— A guiding principle that Luke and the other shadow children often consider when making plans.

“Even in the darkest places, there can be light, if you know where to look.”

— Luke's observation about finding hope and allies in unexpected places.

“Trust was a fragile thing, easily broken, but essential for survival.”

— Luke's experiences with trusting new people, particularly the Hendricks.

“Sometimes the greatest rebellion is simply to exist.”

— The underlying theme for all shadow children, asserting their right to be.

“The world was bigger than he had ever imagined, and far more dangerous, but also full of possibilities.”

— Luke's broadened perspective after leaving his isolated home.

“It wasn't about being brave all the time, but about being brave when it mattered most.”

— Luke reflecting on his own courage and that of his new friends.

“Every secret had a price, and sometimes that price was loneliness.”

— Luke's internal struggle with the isolation that comes with being a shadow child.

“Family wasn't always blood; sometimes it was the people who chose to protect you.”

— Luke's growing bond with the other shadow children and the Hendricks.

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Key Questions (FAQ)

Matthias, an illegal third child, is constantly in hiding from the Population Police. His family lives in fear, and his initial conflict is the struggle for survival and concealment, which is violently disrupted when his family's hiding place is compromised during a clash between rebels and the Population Police.

About the author

Margaret Peterson Haddix

Biography coming soon.

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