So i understand shifting your desires into a more academic path instead of a more politically active one, cowardice id argue. But right now cesca has the power to protest, and given that she saw exactly everything that led up to this, wouldnt she clue in on her being the object of interest of the source of all this gives her that power to protest right that instant? There's changing your goals and there's forgetting your dreams, i dont get why the author would even put that point there but have her completely reject her new found tentative status to fulfill her goals, it makes her seem stupid when she's been the only one reasonable thus far.