Fiction to Reality

Red Queen by Victoria Averyard is a dystopian fantasy novel that takes place in a world where people are divided by the color of their blood. Those with red blood are born into a life of poverty, while those with silver blood are born to the privileged elite and blessed with supernatural abilities.

There are many parallels between Aveyard’s world and our own. The most glaring is the segregation of class based solely on physical attributes. In the book, the divide is based on blood, while in reality this theme is most common to a difference in race. Unfortunately, racism is still a fight in some situations. This is especially prevalent in the U.S. prison system and disproportionate wealth trends. The book explores this theme by focusing on the perspective of a girl, Mare, who is born with red blood and thus grows up believing her place in society is unchangeable. Aveyard illustrates how living under an unequal system can influence a person’s sense of identity and worth. These ideas reflect the way people in our world might internalize the limitations imposed upon them by race or economic circumstances. It shows a parallel of how inequality in modern societies persist today and evokes deeper thought into how systems built on exclusion can be confronted and transformed.

Another main theme that arises is the magnitude of power a few elites have over the rest of the population. In today’s world, there are a few billionaires at the top with a ridiculous gap between them and the rest of us. In Red Queen, the Silvers hold a similar level of concentrated authority, where they shape laws, culture, and the lives of the reds. Here, power should be defined as the ability to influence others’ lives and that is exactly what a certain character in the book does (name omitted to avoid spoilers). The quote that best frames this dynamic is “I could set this world on fire and call it rain”. This example shows how someone with immense influence can manipulate reality and control narratives by abusing their position. It reflects the danger of allowing a small group to hold unchecked power, whether in this book’s fictional monarchy or reality’s economic system.

Red Queen uses its fantasy setting to highlights real issues that today’s modern society faces. By drawing parallels between the influence of inequality, the story encourages readers to question our existing systems and consider how meaningful change can begin.

Racism In America Today Statistics: 2026 Market Report

The Rise of Billionaire Rule: How Extreme Wealth Is Undermining American Democracy – LA Progressive