Well, all and all I recommend this book to all and everyone. It definitely will be added to my list of favorite books from this school year, alongside Gone With the Wind and Their Eyes Were Watching God. Although the book itself was commendable, I will nonetheless begin with my critical review.
Things went downhill when Tris and Tobias got into their little weird relationship. The relationship was dislikable as were some of Tris's other aspects, but I will stress that I don't believe this was meant to be the book's focus. The main themes I took away from the book were the human desires for both freedom and power, but more on that later. Despite the dramatic and rapid paced ending, I found myself conflicted over the fact that things were now beginning to get unrealistic. I mean, this was supposed to be an isolated post-world disaster society, yet somehow a small group of intellectuals has managed to pull of mind control? It's all highly odd in comparison to the feeling I got of the factions at the beginning and even middle of the book. If anything, I expected primitive forms of violent unrest to arise at the book's end.
Now, through the entire duration of the book, I saw two major themes arise: human inclinations for power, as well as desires for freedom to express oneself. The antagonists were all power-hungry in some way or another, whether it be Peter, Al, or Jeanine, whereas the protagonists were trying to find freedom to make themselves the way they want to be (Tris and Tobias specifically). I think this is the only reason Tris and Tobias came out alive and together. The idea that the two are now off together without a place or faction to call home so that they may now attempt to build a life of their own-- a freedom largely suppressed by the faction system.
I have a lot of predictions regarding the second book and movie as well. Personally, I feel as if the movie is going to crash and burn in the box office and have unmemorable acting due to the lack of widespread interest in Divergent. I am just hoping it doesn't turn out to be the movie version of The City of Ember... In the next book, I feel like the conflict with Jeanine and the other vicious Dauntless and Erudite leaders will continue, and that something weird is going to happen with Marcus. I also do not think many will find Amity to be suitable for their tastes, and will move on to find a better or safer residence. Hopefully, Tris will be able to learn more about who her parents really were and in turn find out more about who she herself actually is. Perhaps maybe I will even find out what i have been dying to know all along... what really lies beyond the fences and farms?
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
Chapters Thirty-Seven Through Thirty-Nine
Yes! As I stated in a previous post, I knew that Tris had a tattoo on her left shoulder! I wasn't sure what it would turn out to be, but I am glad it was representative of her other home faction, Dauntless. Tris is acting with both Dauntless and Abnegation oriented responses by attacking the Dauntless compound head on, as it takes bravery to risk ones life to end a violent pogrom against the Abnegation and Divergent.
Something about Marcus is just not right. I don't think it's merely a figment of Tris's imagination anymore, but the way his eyes are described as "cold" foreshadows something dark, in my interpretation. The way he says that Peter's pain is for the good was quite reminiscent to his beatings of Tobias. Speaking of violence, Tris's father had an interesting reaction to it. "There is a right way to do things", he persuades. In this case it is hard to decide what is the best to do. If he isn't comfortable with the violence, then he probably shouldn't have come. I personally would have avoided the violence, seeing it as a lost and impossible cause. I'm not sure whether it is myself that leads me to believe that, or the very fact that I was placed in Amity that provoked that feeling.
In an eerie way, I somewhat foresaw either Tris or Tobias dying, and now here we are. They are beating each other senseless, and there seems to be no end in sight. Sometimes love and hate become so intertwined with one another in some ways, that it is hard to distinguish. Both can involve deep passion and obsession, and can appear within someone in an instant. I doubt that Roth will allow for one of the two to die, after Tris has already lost her parents. Perhaps this is the imperfection in the serum-- perhaps Tobias will not be able to kill her because he will falter on the distinction between love and hate.
One of Tris's statements that really gets at me is "can I be forgiven for all I've done to get here?" I feel as if Tris does not only mean to reference a higher power, but she also is asking whether or not her father will forgive her for how she had trodden over his beliefs and everything that he taught her. Maybe she even is asking if those that she hurt could ever forgive her for the pain she inflicted upon them. All of this is very eluding to the major themes surfacing in The Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne. The thoughts of death, redemption, and forgiveness are quite relevant in this chapter particularly, and I wonder if Tris will ever be able to forgive herself for the way that her mother and father died before her eyes, Just as Hester never could truly forgive herself for her sin.
I'm not really sure where to go from here now that I've reached the final chapter. It's hard to speculate on what Tris's future will be like, not knowing whether Christina, Max, Jeanine, Uriah, or any of the others are still living. I'm surprised that Tris isn't overwhelmed with emotion by the death of her parents, but I suppose it could be shock. Her parents, however, were not the same people she once knew. Her mother in Abnegation form had died long ago, and Tris never got to know the Dauntless side of her mother. I feel like Tris is devastated by her father's death, but treats her mother's death as if she were a child who lost her mother in infancy, left with many questions as to who she actually was.
As for the new antagonist villains of the story, I feel like Marcus is going to be not to terrible helpful or pleasant. The way Tris snapped at him forebodes a bitter unhappy ending for marcus in my mind. I also just noticed something very, very profound. A vast number of the fears that Tris was forced to endure in her fear landscape actually came to haunt her in real life. She was trapped in the tank, Tobias scared her, she was almost forced to shoot someone whom she loved, and in a way she was abducted by the Erudite leaders. I think that that has some very important meaning, and that it should be kept in mind.
Finally, Tris is left to the world with "no path, no home, and no certainty." Within a mere few days, she has been forced to become a gypsy, traveling on without knowledge of what will happen to her. Isn't this what being Divergent is about, though? As Tris's mother said, the Divergent brain goes in a dozen directions at once, and will not bind itself to any one life. I suppose then that Tris and Tobias were meant to make it out of this alive together, so that they may roam freely just as the Divergent are meant to. Perhaps now they have freed their Divergent souls from the bondage of the factions.
Something about Marcus is just not right. I don't think it's merely a figment of Tris's imagination anymore, but the way his eyes are described as "cold" foreshadows something dark, in my interpretation. The way he says that Peter's pain is for the good was quite reminiscent to his beatings of Tobias. Speaking of violence, Tris's father had an interesting reaction to it. "There is a right way to do things", he persuades. In this case it is hard to decide what is the best to do. If he isn't comfortable with the violence, then he probably shouldn't have come. I personally would have avoided the violence, seeing it as a lost and impossible cause. I'm not sure whether it is myself that leads me to believe that, or the very fact that I was placed in Amity that provoked that feeling.
In an eerie way, I somewhat foresaw either Tris or Tobias dying, and now here we are. They are beating each other senseless, and there seems to be no end in sight. Sometimes love and hate become so intertwined with one another in some ways, that it is hard to distinguish. Both can involve deep passion and obsession, and can appear within someone in an instant. I doubt that Roth will allow for one of the two to die, after Tris has already lost her parents. Perhaps this is the imperfection in the serum-- perhaps Tobias will not be able to kill her because he will falter on the distinction between love and hate.
One of Tris's statements that really gets at me is "can I be forgiven for all I've done to get here?" I feel as if Tris does not only mean to reference a higher power, but she also is asking whether or not her father will forgive her for how she had trodden over his beliefs and everything that he taught her. Maybe she even is asking if those that she hurt could ever forgive her for the pain she inflicted upon them. All of this is very eluding to the major themes surfacing in The Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne. The thoughts of death, redemption, and forgiveness are quite relevant in this chapter particularly, and I wonder if Tris will ever be able to forgive herself for the way that her mother and father died before her eyes, Just as Hester never could truly forgive herself for her sin.
I'm not really sure where to go from here now that I've reached the final chapter. It's hard to speculate on what Tris's future will be like, not knowing whether Christina, Max, Jeanine, Uriah, or any of the others are still living. I'm surprised that Tris isn't overwhelmed with emotion by the death of her parents, but I suppose it could be shock. Her parents, however, were not the same people she once knew. Her mother in Abnegation form had died long ago, and Tris never got to know the Dauntless side of her mother. I feel like Tris is devastated by her father's death, but treats her mother's death as if she were a child who lost her mother in infancy, left with many questions as to who she actually was.
As for the new antagonist villains of the story, I feel like Marcus is going to be not to terrible helpful or pleasant. The way Tris snapped at him forebodes a bitter unhappy ending for marcus in my mind. I also just noticed something very, very profound. A vast number of the fears that Tris was forced to endure in her fear landscape actually came to haunt her in real life. She was trapped in the tank, Tobias scared her, she was almost forced to shoot someone whom she loved, and in a way she was abducted by the Erudite leaders. I think that that has some very important meaning, and that it should be kept in mind.
Finally, Tris is left to the world with "no path, no home, and no certainty." Within a mere few days, she has been forced to become a gypsy, traveling on without knowledge of what will happen to her. Isn't this what being Divergent is about, though? As Tris's mother said, the Divergent brain goes in a dozen directions at once, and will not bind itself to any one life. I suppose then that Tris and Tobias were meant to make it out of this alive together, so that they may roam freely just as the Divergent are meant to. Perhaps now they have freed their Divergent souls from the bondage of the factions.
Chapters Thirty-Four Through Thirty-Six
There is so much excitement and energy erupting at this point in the book, that it's hard to decide what to think of it. Everything feels as if it was straight out of the Bourne Legacy with all of the mind control and such. It simply doesn't seem possible that such things could be developed by a small post-world crisis group of intellectuals. Sometimes I wonder if the factions are an experiment within themselves that is being watched and observed by others on the outside. The sci-fi aspects just seem too unrealistic and I'm not exactly liking the way matters are unfolding, although it is quite thrilling.
I was hoping for a classic styled overthrow, without zombie slave soldiers. The fact that everything felt realistic up to this point also irks me to a certain degree. Also, the most horrifying statement in the entire book to this point was made: "Beatrice, however [...] You are to injured to be of much use to me, so your execution will occur at the conclusion of this meeting." It is this that kept me very much on edge now, as I await an execution that doesn't seem to be coming quite yet. I'm still not exactly sure how Jeanine thinks the will control the Factionless, who have depended upon the aid of Abnegation up until this point.
I also wonder how the factions are not going to cease to exist if such fighting continues. It is only a matter of time before the Dauntless soldiers are depleted and the Erudite leaders are murdered, or the Abnegation are completely wiped out. It is so silly to think that such a seemingly small group of people can carry out so much violence, when murder is a word that was virtually unknown to Tris before the unrest broke out. Now that Tris's mother is dead, all that remains are the few Abnegation, Erudite, and Dauntless partisans hiding under a building somewhere near the building where Tris awoke. At this point, I feel as if victory is impossible for Tris, judging by the number of near death experiences she has already escaped. It's only a matter of time... but of course the book's author will not let this become a tragedy. There has to be some form of righteous triumph over the dystopia.
I feel as if either Tobias or Tris need to eventually die, because they can't possibly have a happy future together after all that has occurred already. If they were to fight together, I imagine that one of them will die tragically fighting. Perfect endings are boring and aren't left to the reader's interpretation, and I want this to end like The Giver, where a certain level of interpretation is given.
As I predicted, the Divergent are a threat to the leaders of factions because they are free and cannot be controlled. Their minds aren't wired for it, which breaks the Utopia that is sought after in this dystopian society. Divergent individuals cannot be organized into a certain way of thinking since their brains work in many directions, and are ever moving. I wonder if the Divergent always faced targeting and oppression, or if the concept is fairly new due to heightened tensions. Tris's mother faced danger as an initiate, or her mother wouldn't have told her to leave the Dauntless. I wonder how long it had been that unrest had been brewing amongst the factions.
This new turning point in the book makes the reader question about death, and bravery in the face of it. As Tris watches her mother die, she thinks, "If I lie down now, this can all be done. Maybe Eric was right, and choosing death is like exploring and unknown and uncertain place." Just as when water filled the tank and began drown her, she felt like letting everything go and accepting an imminent death with boldness. Something changed in her though, for Eric wasn't entirely right in what he told her. There was a "maybe" in that sentence, and Tris wasn't about to let Eric win.
As Tris now plots with her fellow resistance movement, I imagine them sort of like other resistance groups during conflicts of the past who are forced to hide by day and fight by night. Tris's idea to attack the computer system controlling the Dauntless is good, but how is she supposed to get there, let alone escape to asylum in Amity? Speaking of serums, I know from my website project that the Amity have a peace serum. Was this ironically developed by the Erudite who are now developing serums for the destruction of the factions? If so, it would be truly representative of the ways the factions have changed over the years-- for the worse.
I've also got this weird feeling about Marcus, judging by his history and behaviors. Perhaps Tris has a prejudice against him; she points out that his "sympathetic tone sounds manufactured", but perhaps he really is faking emotion. Something is odd with him, and I am predicting his eventual death.
I was hoping for a classic styled overthrow, without zombie slave soldiers. The fact that everything felt realistic up to this point also irks me to a certain degree. Also, the most horrifying statement in the entire book to this point was made: "Beatrice, however [...] You are to injured to be of much use to me, so your execution will occur at the conclusion of this meeting." It is this that kept me very much on edge now, as I await an execution that doesn't seem to be coming quite yet. I'm still not exactly sure how Jeanine thinks the will control the Factionless, who have depended upon the aid of Abnegation up until this point.
I also wonder how the factions are not going to cease to exist if such fighting continues. It is only a matter of time before the Dauntless soldiers are depleted and the Erudite leaders are murdered, or the Abnegation are completely wiped out. It is so silly to think that such a seemingly small group of people can carry out so much violence, when murder is a word that was virtually unknown to Tris before the unrest broke out. Now that Tris's mother is dead, all that remains are the few Abnegation, Erudite, and Dauntless partisans hiding under a building somewhere near the building where Tris awoke. At this point, I feel as if victory is impossible for Tris, judging by the number of near death experiences she has already escaped. It's only a matter of time... but of course the book's author will not let this become a tragedy. There has to be some form of righteous triumph over the dystopia.
I feel as if either Tobias or Tris need to eventually die, because they can't possibly have a happy future together after all that has occurred already. If they were to fight together, I imagine that one of them will die tragically fighting. Perfect endings are boring and aren't left to the reader's interpretation, and I want this to end like The Giver, where a certain level of interpretation is given.
As I predicted, the Divergent are a threat to the leaders of factions because they are free and cannot be controlled. Their minds aren't wired for it, which breaks the Utopia that is sought after in this dystopian society. Divergent individuals cannot be organized into a certain way of thinking since their brains work in many directions, and are ever moving. I wonder if the Divergent always faced targeting and oppression, or if the concept is fairly new due to heightened tensions. Tris's mother faced danger as an initiate, or her mother wouldn't have told her to leave the Dauntless. I wonder how long it had been that unrest had been brewing amongst the factions.
This new turning point in the book makes the reader question about death, and bravery in the face of it. As Tris watches her mother die, she thinks, "If I lie down now, this can all be done. Maybe Eric was right, and choosing death is like exploring and unknown and uncertain place." Just as when water filled the tank and began drown her, she felt like letting everything go and accepting an imminent death with boldness. Something changed in her though, for Eric wasn't entirely right in what he told her. There was a "maybe" in that sentence, and Tris wasn't about to let Eric win.
As Tris now plots with her fellow resistance movement, I imagine them sort of like other resistance groups during conflicts of the past who are forced to hide by day and fight by night. Tris's idea to attack the computer system controlling the Dauntless is good, but how is she supposed to get there, let alone escape to asylum in Amity? Speaking of serums, I know from my website project that the Amity have a peace serum. Was this ironically developed by the Erudite who are now developing serums for the destruction of the factions? If so, it would be truly representative of the ways the factions have changed over the years-- for the worse.
I've also got this weird feeling about Marcus, judging by his history and behaviors. Perhaps Tris has a prejudice against him; she points out that his "sympathetic tone sounds manufactured", but perhaps he really is faking emotion. Something is odd with him, and I am predicting his eventual death.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Chapters Thirty-One Through Thirty-Three
Tobias, as always, discussed his opinions on the various factions during another tender moment with Tris. Tobias and Tris are both very thoughtful and smart, and I know that the two will play a big role if unrest amongst the factions breaks out. Tobias feels like "we've all started to put down the virtues of other factions in the process of bolstering our own." Like the old saying goes, "united we stand, divided we fall." The factions were formed with the purpose of being united, since no single one can stand alone on its own. Now that each faction's values are becoming more and more isolated and not interconnected with one another, it's becoming harder to get along and function as a whole. In my mind, its like a color wheel: The factions all are positioned on the circle, some of them related to one another but others near opposites. Now, the colors are becoming more defined and separated-- the circle is breaking apart.
As with most works of dystopian literature, there is a bit of triumph for our protagonists over the antagonists. With Drew and Molly knocked out, only Peter remains. Tris's reaction to this surprised me, however. She remarks: "it isn't quite the victory I wanted, but it's a victory nonetheless." I assume she was hoping for something a bit harsher than just being made Factionless, after all agony the two of them put her through. Even more unfortunate, however, Jeanine Mathews and Max have replaced Molly and Drew as antagonists. The Dauntless and Erudite leaders are even more frightening than Molly and Drew ever were. Luckily, there are several more protagonists to add to the list: Uriah, Tobias, and Caleb. The battle is mounting, and the sides appear well drawn. All that needs to happen now is something big-- something with enough magnitude to know the entire system off its balance. Perhaps that thing is already underway.
Even a few chapters ago, I thought that the tracking serum was a little shady. I mean, it's been created by manipulative Erudite leaders, and it supposedly is "tracking" Tris and the other Dauntless. How many more read flags are needed? The only question left is how Tris and Tobias are ever going to remove the device. I imagine it must be quite embedded if it is minute enough to be injected via a needle and a long needle into the neck at that.
Okay, now things are just getting weird. I knew that a Divergent was dangerous because they went against the perfect system in some way or another, but I am surprised to find this perfect system comprised of a group of Dauntless and Erudite leaders. I now see that the reason is because their brains work differently-- they work in a way that Jeanine doesn't yet know how to control.
Also as I said before, each of the factions is like a different ethnicity, each with it's own values and cultural identity. Does Jeanine expect to "ethnically cleanse" all of the Abnegation? Or only those which she defines as leaders? Will she put the children into reeducation programs, or will they die at her orders too? Jeanine already has developed a cult of personality within her own faction and the Dauntless, so whose to say she won't impose it upon the children of Abnegation?
I am also surprised that Tris found herself unable to shoot Eric in the face. Just moments earlier she had expressed a desire to kill Max, Eric and Jeanine in order to protect her home faction, and now she just freezes up. What is supposed to happen now that Four and Tris are captured? It is irrational to think that they will be allowed to live, unless that is, they manage to escape. I suppose Roth needed him to live, and that she has something planned for him later on in her books.
Finally, I am taking close note of what Eric has to say. Before he tried to murder Four, he said "too bad you didn't just take Max up on his offer". This shows that Tobias must have known at least something was going on, no matter what the offer was.
As with most works of dystopian literature, there is a bit of triumph for our protagonists over the antagonists. With Drew and Molly knocked out, only Peter remains. Tris's reaction to this surprised me, however. She remarks: "it isn't quite the victory I wanted, but it's a victory nonetheless." I assume she was hoping for something a bit harsher than just being made Factionless, after all agony the two of them put her through. Even more unfortunate, however, Jeanine Mathews and Max have replaced Molly and Drew as antagonists. The Dauntless and Erudite leaders are even more frightening than Molly and Drew ever were. Luckily, there are several more protagonists to add to the list: Uriah, Tobias, and Caleb. The battle is mounting, and the sides appear well drawn. All that needs to happen now is something big-- something with enough magnitude to know the entire system off its balance. Perhaps that thing is already underway.
Even a few chapters ago, I thought that the tracking serum was a little shady. I mean, it's been created by manipulative Erudite leaders, and it supposedly is "tracking" Tris and the other Dauntless. How many more read flags are needed? The only question left is how Tris and Tobias are ever going to remove the device. I imagine it must be quite embedded if it is minute enough to be injected via a needle and a long needle into the neck at that.
Okay, now things are just getting weird. I knew that a Divergent was dangerous because they went against the perfect system in some way or another, but I am surprised to find this perfect system comprised of a group of Dauntless and Erudite leaders. I now see that the reason is because their brains work differently-- they work in a way that Jeanine doesn't yet know how to control.
Also as I said before, each of the factions is like a different ethnicity, each with it's own values and cultural identity. Does Jeanine expect to "ethnically cleanse" all of the Abnegation? Or only those which she defines as leaders? Will she put the children into reeducation programs, or will they die at her orders too? Jeanine already has developed a cult of personality within her own faction and the Dauntless, so whose to say she won't impose it upon the children of Abnegation?
I am also surprised that Tris found herself unable to shoot Eric in the face. Just moments earlier she had expressed a desire to kill Max, Eric and Jeanine in order to protect her home faction, and now she just freezes up. What is supposed to happen now that Four and Tris are captured? It is irrational to think that they will be allowed to live, unless that is, they manage to escape. I suppose Roth needed him to live, and that she has something planned for him later on in her books.
Finally, I am taking close note of what Eric has to say. Before he tried to murder Four, he said "too bad you didn't just take Max up on his offer". This shows that Tobias must have known at least something was going on, no matter what the offer was.
Chapters Twenty-Eight Through Thirty
At the start of reading, I assumed that this series would have more to do with what lies outside of the factions, as in the City of Ember. It seems to me, however, that the book is more concerned with internal issues amongst the dystopia such as the plot of The Hunger Games series. Even still, Tris continues question the outside world as when she wonders in regards to the train tracks: "where to they begin? Where do they end? What is the world like beyond them?" I have a feeling that although internal issues and civil conflict are the foci, the world beyond them may resurface at a later time.
Tris's excursion into Erudite territory provided some interesting insight into their lives. The very fact that Jeanine's own larger than life portrait hangs in the central building of the compound is very revealing. It appears as if a cult of personality is developing around Jeanine Mathews, with her daily harangues and multitudinous propaganda reigning as the supreme media source. Portraits of leaders are used in by many theocracies and tyrannous governments as propagandistic "guidance" by a supposedly gifted leader. Such examples are found in places such as North Korea and Russia's Chechnya, whose leaders glorify themselves as seen below.
Now it has become obvious that the factions are on the border of war, in light of the "war plans" that Tobias discovered. War between Dauntless/Erudite and Abnegation seems imminent, and downright unimaginable. If each faction had roughly the same amount of initiates as Dauntless, and the life expectancy stood around where it does today, the population of the entire factions couldn't possibly surpass 8,000, including the Factionless. I find it unlikely that modern, western medicine is readily available to the population and even less so likely available to the Factionless, so even with a life expectancy of 60, the population couldn't be a single person more than 6,000. Comparing this to a locality in your area (Eldridge, Iowa, for me), it is very odd to try imagining a full-scale conflict among such a small group of people. It will be interesting to see the conflict play out, particularly how violent and lengthy it may prove to be.
I am having some doubts that Tris will perform her top game in the fear landscape. Since she is Divergent, all this time she has known that the simulations are false, and therefore hasn't had much practice with a truly frightening situation, except for her experience in Lauren's fear landscape when she suddenly couldn't differentiate between reality and fiction. As Tris tells herself, "I just have to remember that I have the power to manipulate the simulations". If she fails to do so, all could end in disaster.
Also, in regards to the setting, I notice that there are many technological advances that aren't invented yet today or aren't readily used. The simulation exercises and the serum certainly aren't possible today, and the use of glass for the construction of almost every new building is a little odd as well, particularly the way it is used as a floor. Perhaps the erudite have invented all of these things over the years since the ways of the old world came to an end.
Now the fun part- Tris's fears. First off, I think it's odd that she had already experienced two of them in her previous simulations. I would think that they would be new as to make it more difficult. Rather than fears of physical objects, the fears that surfaced in her fear landscape were all intangible emotions. The fear of being pulled into the ocean and crushed on the rocks by waves is a feeling of powerlessness, same with almost each other fear, save a few minor additions. The one that seemed to scare Tris the most was the men abducting her and Tobias. Luckily, she was able to produce a gun to fight off the men, but she really didn't have a defense against Tobias. She can only laugh everything off until it all disappears. The final fear- shooting her own family- was also difficult, but she did have solution to escape the worst terror.
As I analyze Tris's final fear of shooting her family more in depth, I noticed something a bit odd. Tris notes, "the urgency making my heart race depends on one thing, and one thing only: the threat to my life." This isn't exactly an Abnegation-like response, and it's odd to think that this is the reason for her angst. One would think that the fact that she needs to kill her family is more worrisome, but perhaps she simply ruled out the possibility of even bringing herself to kill her own family, so now it was her own death that made her fearful.
Tris's excursion into Erudite territory provided some interesting insight into their lives. The very fact that Jeanine's own larger than life portrait hangs in the central building of the compound is very revealing. It appears as if a cult of personality is developing around Jeanine Mathews, with her daily harangues and multitudinous propaganda reigning as the supreme media source. Portraits of leaders are used in by many theocracies and tyrannous governments as propagandistic "guidance" by a supposedly gifted leader. Such examples are found in places such as North Korea and Russia's Chechnya, whose leaders glorify themselves as seen below.
Now it has become obvious that the factions are on the border of war, in light of the "war plans" that Tobias discovered. War between Dauntless/Erudite and Abnegation seems imminent, and downright unimaginable. If each faction had roughly the same amount of initiates as Dauntless, and the life expectancy stood around where it does today, the population of the entire factions couldn't possibly surpass 8,000, including the Factionless. I find it unlikely that modern, western medicine is readily available to the population and even less so likely available to the Factionless, so even with a life expectancy of 60, the population couldn't be a single person more than 6,000. Comparing this to a locality in your area (Eldridge, Iowa, for me), it is very odd to try imagining a full-scale conflict among such a small group of people. It will be interesting to see the conflict play out, particularly how violent and lengthy it may prove to be.
I am having some doubts that Tris will perform her top game in the fear landscape. Since she is Divergent, all this time she has known that the simulations are false, and therefore hasn't had much practice with a truly frightening situation, except for her experience in Lauren's fear landscape when she suddenly couldn't differentiate between reality and fiction. As Tris tells herself, "I just have to remember that I have the power to manipulate the simulations". If she fails to do so, all could end in disaster.
Also, in regards to the setting, I notice that there are many technological advances that aren't invented yet today or aren't readily used. The simulation exercises and the serum certainly aren't possible today, and the use of glass for the construction of almost every new building is a little odd as well, particularly the way it is used as a floor. Perhaps the erudite have invented all of these things over the years since the ways of the old world came to an end.
Now the fun part- Tris's fears. First off, I think it's odd that she had already experienced two of them in her previous simulations. I would think that they would be new as to make it more difficult. Rather than fears of physical objects, the fears that surfaced in her fear landscape were all intangible emotions. The fear of being pulled into the ocean and crushed on the rocks by waves is a feeling of powerlessness, same with almost each other fear, save a few minor additions. The one that seemed to scare Tris the most was the men abducting her and Tobias. Luckily, she was able to produce a gun to fight off the men, but she really didn't have a defense against Tobias. She can only laugh everything off until it all disappears. The final fear- shooting her own family- was also difficult, but she did have solution to escape the worst terror.
As I analyze Tris's final fear of shooting her family more in depth, I noticed something a bit odd. Tris notes, "the urgency making my heart race depends on one thing, and one thing only: the threat to my life." This isn't exactly an Abnegation-like response, and it's odd to think that this is the reason for her angst. One would think that the fact that she needs to kill her family is more worrisome, but perhaps she simply ruled out the possibility of even bringing herself to kill her own family, so now it was her own death that made her fearful.
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| The Russian text reads "Grozny City - our pride!" |
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| I'm absolutely clueless as to what this one says... maybe some translation help? *cough cough Cheyenne* |
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Chapters Twenty-Five Through Twenty-Seven
Tris, Christina, and Will all get another tattoo together, bringing their totals to two so far. Although it appears that Tris has only two tattoos, the way she describes them reason otherwise. Tris claimed that both of her shoulders hurt from the tattoo needle, yet she only describes the tattoo on her right shoulder, not the one that her left shoulder received. I wonder if perhaps it will be revealed at a later time, or if I just misinterpreted the text.
It seems as if everyone is forming close relationships with some one they admire, and it's getting a little weird. Tris and Tobias's relationship is somewhat annoying now, and Will and Christina's is becoming weirder each passing day with their idle touching. I can somewhat understand how some readers didn't enjoy the book, but the book's main ideas and positive qualities by far outweigh the negative.
Tobias (as he is now known to Tris) had an interesting discussion with Tris while the two were within his fear landscape. In response to Tris's comments on the aptitude tests, he states, "the aptitude test tells you nothing. Tris, hoping that this might be a clue to him being Divergent, anticipated an answer to why he had chosen Dauntless. Before he could answer, his voice trailed off as the next fear in the fear landscape came to view. I wonder what it is then that inspired him to join the Divergent? Victoria Roth sure did leave a lot of cliffhangers...
Well luckily that cliffhanger wasn't too terribly long. Although Tobias claims that his aptitude test reveals that he is of Abnegation, Tris still senses a lot of Dauntless in him, and therefore holds onto the hope that he is Divergent as well. Perhaps though, the two factions are so similar to one another that he is equally talented in both. Tobias reasons, "all your life you've been training to forget yourself, so when you're in danger, it becomes your first instinct."
A lot of what goes on with the factions is very similar in my mind to the literary them "coming of age". The characters are sort of forced to find out who they are and what traits define themselves or are their strongest points. For Tris, this is especially difficult as her testing showed aptitude for three factions, and therefore is very conflicted as to which one truly fits her being. Over the course of the book, it is being exposed by the faction system simply does not work, much of it based off the fact that no one perfectly fits into any one of the factions.
Due to Tris's escapade with Tobias, their relationship is now a bit awkward. It is obvious to those around her that something is up. Due to their relationship, I wonder if some will become jealous of Tris since Tobias is likely to favor her. I am also still having a difficulty seeing Tobias as an eighteen-year-old. He just seems so advanced for his years.
Lauren's fears are all very rational in my opinion, and I would find it hard to rank them based on difficulty. Her fear involving the death of her father would probably be applicable to me since I have never before lost a family member or friend who I visited more often than once every several years. I don't really know how I personally would go about dealing with it, and therefore it frightens me. Any involving my own death of course would be frightening, especially being hit by a train. Public ignominy would also quite frightful, depending on who the onlookers were.
I find it interesting that "most [initiates] will have anywhere from ten to fifteen fears in [their] fear landscapes." I think that in reality, people would be more likely to have upwards of that figure. For example, if someone is afraid of spiders, doesn't it make sense that they would be afraid of other biting or stinging bugs such as wasps, bees, and ants? If one was afraid of being hit by a train, why not a car or a bus? I wonder how the fears are selected, if perhaps there is an intensity cut off where only the most intense feeling fears make it into the simulation. Either way, I think I might be surprised to see what my most intense fears are.
It seems as if everyone is forming close relationships with some one they admire, and it's getting a little weird. Tris and Tobias's relationship is somewhat annoying now, and Will and Christina's is becoming weirder each passing day with their idle touching. I can somewhat understand how some readers didn't enjoy the book, but the book's main ideas and positive qualities by far outweigh the negative.
Tobias (as he is now known to Tris) had an interesting discussion with Tris while the two were within his fear landscape. In response to Tris's comments on the aptitude tests, he states, "the aptitude test tells you nothing. Tris, hoping that this might be a clue to him being Divergent, anticipated an answer to why he had chosen Dauntless. Before he could answer, his voice trailed off as the next fear in the fear landscape came to view. I wonder what it is then that inspired him to join the Divergent? Victoria Roth sure did leave a lot of cliffhangers...
Well luckily that cliffhanger wasn't too terribly long. Although Tobias claims that his aptitude test reveals that he is of Abnegation, Tris still senses a lot of Dauntless in him, and therefore holds onto the hope that he is Divergent as well. Perhaps though, the two factions are so similar to one another that he is equally talented in both. Tobias reasons, "all your life you've been training to forget yourself, so when you're in danger, it becomes your first instinct."
A lot of what goes on with the factions is very similar in my mind to the literary them "coming of age". The characters are sort of forced to find out who they are and what traits define themselves or are their strongest points. For Tris, this is especially difficult as her testing showed aptitude for three factions, and therefore is very conflicted as to which one truly fits her being. Over the course of the book, it is being exposed by the faction system simply does not work, much of it based off the fact that no one perfectly fits into any one of the factions.
Due to Tris's escapade with Tobias, their relationship is now a bit awkward. It is obvious to those around her that something is up. Due to their relationship, I wonder if some will become jealous of Tris since Tobias is likely to favor her. I am also still having a difficulty seeing Tobias as an eighteen-year-old. He just seems so advanced for his years.
Lauren's fears are all very rational in my opinion, and I would find it hard to rank them based on difficulty. Her fear involving the death of her father would probably be applicable to me since I have never before lost a family member or friend who I visited more often than once every several years. I don't really know how I personally would go about dealing with it, and therefore it frightens me. Any involving my own death of course would be frightening, especially being hit by a train. Public ignominy would also quite frightful, depending on who the onlookers were.
I find it interesting that "most [initiates] will have anywhere from ten to fifteen fears in [their] fear landscapes." I think that in reality, people would be more likely to have upwards of that figure. For example, if someone is afraid of spiders, doesn't it make sense that they would be afraid of other biting or stinging bugs such as wasps, bees, and ants? If one was afraid of being hit by a train, why not a car or a bus? I wonder how the fears are selected, if perhaps there is an intensity cut off where only the most intense feeling fears make it into the simulation. Either way, I think I might be surprised to see what my most intense fears are.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Chapters Twenty-Two Through Twenty-Four
I am immediately drawn to the words written upon the wall as Tris regains her consciousness following the attack: "Fear God Alone." Classically, works of dystopian literature contain no religion, as the government has supreme power. Obviously, someone was religious enough to have such a blatant message be put upon a wall. Whether or not it was done after the founding of the factions I do not know. The statement is quite relevant to the Dauntless beliefs regarding fear. As many Christians believe, if anything in life must be feared, it is to be God.
Tris and Four are now clearly developing a close bond, and it is undeniable that the two like each other very much. Their friendship hasn't always been this way, however. After several months of warming up to each other, they both now share mutual admiration. I have a feeling that Tris's other friends like Christina won't make it through the final elimination, and Tris will be left alone with Four. In addition, I think that Four will protect her in the remaining months as her friendships crumble. Obviously, Al's friendship has crumbled, and her relationship with Will and Christina hasn't been at its best since she began bonding with the Dauntless born initiates.
Furthermore, Four is encouraging Tris to fight back against the book's protagonists. The way that they have tormented her to no end seems to give Four a pang of sympathy. At this, Four announced that he would have her stop calling her Four. Such a name change is symbolic in the changing ways of their relationship. Just like when Beatrice became Tris, this is a turning point in the story's progress.
Luckily for Tris, the attack may be used to her own advantage. Although her friendships with Christina and Will had been damaged, the attack forced sympathy from them. Christina finally apologizes for grasping the flag from Tris at capture the flag. Although her friendship with Al has been obliterated, her friendships with Christina and Will are stronger then ever. I predict that all three will certainly become officially accepted into Dauntless.
I feel sort of bad for how Al was not forgiven and how he has struggled harder than the other competitors. Even before things spiraled out of control, I had wondered if Al wouldn't give up or otherwise hurt himself before the selection process was even concluded. Interestingly Tris thought of her mothers words when it came to forgiving Christina and Will: "my mother would tell me that people were flawed and I should be lenient with them." Nonetheless, Tris found herself unable to forgive Al for his mistakes. Perhaps her Abnegation tendency to forgive had finally reached its limit as room was made to accommodate her new Dauntless feelings.
After Al's suicide, Tris was thrown into a state of internal conflict. "'Is there something wrong with me?'" she asks herself as Four consoles her. All of her actions are either categorized as stereotypical Abnegation, Dauntless, or Divergent and she must not be detected and labeled as a Divergent. For Tris this is especially hard, since she is usually very open about her feelings and seeks someone who can help her through the difficult times. Luckily, Tori and Four are willing to offer their hand, but they don't know the answers to the majority of her questions.
Tris and Four are now clearly developing a close bond, and it is undeniable that the two like each other very much. Their friendship hasn't always been this way, however. After several months of warming up to each other, they both now share mutual admiration. I have a feeling that Tris's other friends like Christina won't make it through the final elimination, and Tris will be left alone with Four. In addition, I think that Four will protect her in the remaining months as her friendships crumble. Obviously, Al's friendship has crumbled, and her relationship with Will and Christina hasn't been at its best since she began bonding with the Dauntless born initiates.
Furthermore, Four is encouraging Tris to fight back against the book's protagonists. The way that they have tormented her to no end seems to give Four a pang of sympathy. At this, Four announced that he would have her stop calling her Four. Such a name change is symbolic in the changing ways of their relationship. Just like when Beatrice became Tris, this is a turning point in the story's progress.
Luckily for Tris, the attack may be used to her own advantage. Although her friendships with Christina and Will had been damaged, the attack forced sympathy from them. Christina finally apologizes for grasping the flag from Tris at capture the flag. Although her friendship with Al has been obliterated, her friendships with Christina and Will are stronger then ever. I predict that all three will certainly become officially accepted into Dauntless.
I feel sort of bad for how Al was not forgiven and how he has struggled harder than the other competitors. Even before things spiraled out of control, I had wondered if Al wouldn't give up or otherwise hurt himself before the selection process was even concluded. Interestingly Tris thought of her mothers words when it came to forgiving Christina and Will: "my mother would tell me that people were flawed and I should be lenient with them." Nonetheless, Tris found herself unable to forgive Al for his mistakes. Perhaps her Abnegation tendency to forgive had finally reached its limit as room was made to accommodate her new Dauntless feelings.
After Al's suicide, Tris was thrown into a state of internal conflict. "'Is there something wrong with me?'" she asks herself as Four consoles her. All of her actions are either categorized as stereotypical Abnegation, Dauntless, or Divergent and she must not be detected and labeled as a Divergent. For Tris this is especially hard, since she is usually very open about her feelings and seeks someone who can help her through the difficult times. Luckily, Tori and Four are willing to offer their hand, but they don't know the answers to the majority of her questions.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Chapters Nineteen Through Twenty-One
As with virtually all Utopias in human history, the factions too seem to be falling from their original founding beliefs. Iowa's own Amana Colonies was founded as a Utopian religious community and is one of the longest lasting of it's sort. The communistic system soon too came crumbling down, however, with the Great Depression of the 1930s. The one thing that sets the factions apart from examples in modern history is that there is seemingly nowhere for the residents to flee to. Perhaps outside of there compound is a large population of people somewhere, but until it is found, the faction's members are trapped.
The issue of who is to blame for the rotting of the system is an interesting one, but I think the source is a bit obvious. Although the members of Abnegation are supposed to support the views of all others, how is this possible when humans simply aren't perfect? Personally, I believe that each faction should possess their own nation state-like government that rules over the people of that faction alone. Each faction could contain a diplomatic house so that close relations with other factions may be retained, but the unity of the factions is imply implausible. Like I stated before, each faction is sort of like a different ethnicity, each with their own political views and culture. Multiethnic nations of today are the source of some of the world's most atrocious violence.
Additionally, media is becoming a form of propaganda. Each faction apparently has its own newspaper, which sometimes contains slander against other factions. For example, the Erudite newspaper attacked Abnegation with unfounded rumors and positioned them in an awful light, only contributing to the political strife erupting between Abnegation and the Erudite. A monopolized media group comprised of members from each faction would be more ideal. As a result, malice would not end up in the general press for the whole population to absorb.
Moving away from politics, I was provoked by the final line of the chapter-- "peace is restrained; this is free." Although true, how can one find true happiness by being entirely free? This is the Dauntless mindset, in which all things dangerous an risky are acceptable. I verily think that the restraining peace provided by Amity could result in a content life. In my opinion, there needs to be some form of dictation in life that provides direction in life.
Tris's amazing ability to manipulate the mind simulation as she was drowning in a glass box was quite impressive. If I myself was in a similar situation, I would rather relax myself for the final breath of life rather than thrashing for a likely impossible escape. In my own pool, I sometimes imagine what it would be like to drown. The more you fight and panic while drowning, the quicker oxygen runs out. However, by remaining eerily still, I can almost feel the oxygen slowly deplete, until I must take another breath. During drowning, it would be those final precious moments that I would fight to keep so that I may set my thoughts straight and prepare for a hereafter before loosing consciousness or taking a breath of water.
Tris's Divergent traits are very interesting to me. I imagine that her simulations are like a lucid dream; there is a faint realization that the simulation is fake, and therefore, once good control is learned, the dream can be hijacked. The one thing about her Divergence still making me ponder is Tori's comment that Tris is someone "'someone who, because you are in Dauntless, tends to die.'" Is being Divergent in any faction punishable by death, or is it only in the Dauntless faction? Four seemed very concerned about the simulation and deleted all the information from it as to protect her. I think that "Divergents" are seems as an imperfection in the now dystopian society, and as a result they must be destroyed.
Answering one of my questions that arose in earlier chapters, murder does not occur; or at least hasn't taken place in the time of Tris's life. Interestingly, Tori theorizes that Divergence is a symptom of something that the Dauntless leaders specifically care about. I wonder if perchance it is revolution against the system that worries them. In almost all other dystopian fiction I have read, such as The Giver, The City of Ember series, The Hunger Games, and Haddix's Shadow Children series, the protagonist has beaten the system and either revolted or escaped. I foresee a similar conclusion in this particular book series.
Coming back to the simulations, I wonder what sort of simulations I would have to endure. I feel as if killing people I know in everyday life would be the hardest for me. Then again, a painful execution wouldn't be the greatest also.
Tris's preliminary rankings surprise me; I thought she would try to lengthen out her simulations to prevent herself from becoming too conspicuous. As I expected, Peter, Molly, and Drew took their revenge. Or was it them who attacked her? Up to the end of chapter twenty-one, I can't be sure. I know that Peter was there, but apparently Al was part of it too? All three were boys, so Molly mustn't have been part of it. I'm surprised that Al would stoop so low as to perpetrate violence against someone he resented simply because she was better than him.
Finally, I learned some important information that Tris overheard immediately before she was attacked. An unidentified female uttered to Eric in the dark that his "'first priority is to find them [the divergent]. Always.'" The Dauntless administration doesn't seem to have caught on that Tris is truly Divergent, although further examination of her records and simulations may reveal her true being.
The issue of who is to blame for the rotting of the system is an interesting one, but I think the source is a bit obvious. Although the members of Abnegation are supposed to support the views of all others, how is this possible when humans simply aren't perfect? Personally, I believe that each faction should possess their own nation state-like government that rules over the people of that faction alone. Each faction could contain a diplomatic house so that close relations with other factions may be retained, but the unity of the factions is imply implausible. Like I stated before, each faction is sort of like a different ethnicity, each with their own political views and culture. Multiethnic nations of today are the source of some of the world's most atrocious violence.
Additionally, media is becoming a form of propaganda. Each faction apparently has its own newspaper, which sometimes contains slander against other factions. For example, the Erudite newspaper attacked Abnegation with unfounded rumors and positioned them in an awful light, only contributing to the political strife erupting between Abnegation and the Erudite. A monopolized media group comprised of members from each faction would be more ideal. As a result, malice would not end up in the general press for the whole population to absorb.
Moving away from politics, I was provoked by the final line of the chapter-- "peace is restrained; this is free." Although true, how can one find true happiness by being entirely free? This is the Dauntless mindset, in which all things dangerous an risky are acceptable. I verily think that the restraining peace provided by Amity could result in a content life. In my opinion, there needs to be some form of dictation in life that provides direction in life.
Tris's amazing ability to manipulate the mind simulation as she was drowning in a glass box was quite impressive. If I myself was in a similar situation, I would rather relax myself for the final breath of life rather than thrashing for a likely impossible escape. In my own pool, I sometimes imagine what it would be like to drown. The more you fight and panic while drowning, the quicker oxygen runs out. However, by remaining eerily still, I can almost feel the oxygen slowly deplete, until I must take another breath. During drowning, it would be those final precious moments that I would fight to keep so that I may set my thoughts straight and prepare for a hereafter before loosing consciousness or taking a breath of water.
Tris's Divergent traits are very interesting to me. I imagine that her simulations are like a lucid dream; there is a faint realization that the simulation is fake, and therefore, once good control is learned, the dream can be hijacked. The one thing about her Divergence still making me ponder is Tori's comment that Tris is someone "'someone who, because you are in Dauntless, tends to die.'" Is being Divergent in any faction punishable by death, or is it only in the Dauntless faction? Four seemed very concerned about the simulation and deleted all the information from it as to protect her. I think that "Divergents" are seems as an imperfection in the now dystopian society, and as a result they must be destroyed.
Answering one of my questions that arose in earlier chapters, murder does not occur; or at least hasn't taken place in the time of Tris's life. Interestingly, Tori theorizes that Divergence is a symptom of something that the Dauntless leaders specifically care about. I wonder if perchance it is revolution against the system that worries them. In almost all other dystopian fiction I have read, such as The Giver, The City of Ember series, The Hunger Games, and Haddix's Shadow Children series, the protagonist has beaten the system and either revolted or escaped. I foresee a similar conclusion in this particular book series.
Coming back to the simulations, I wonder what sort of simulations I would have to endure. I feel as if killing people I know in everyday life would be the hardest for me. Then again, a painful execution wouldn't be the greatest also.
Tris's preliminary rankings surprise me; I thought she would try to lengthen out her simulations to prevent herself from becoming too conspicuous. As I expected, Peter, Molly, and Drew took their revenge. Or was it them who attacked her? Up to the end of chapter twenty-one, I can't be sure. I know that Peter was there, but apparently Al was part of it too? All three were boys, so Molly mustn't have been part of it. I'm surprised that Al would stoop so low as to perpetrate violence against someone he resented simply because she was better than him.
Finally, I learned some important information that Tris overheard immediately before she was attacked. An unidentified female uttered to Eric in the dark that his "'first priority is to find them [the divergent]. Always.'" The Dauntless administration doesn't seem to have caught on that Tris is truly Divergent, although further examination of her records and simulations may reveal her true being.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Chapters Sixteen Through Eighteen
Tris and Al's friendship is becoming increasingly stranger with every meeting. The way that Roth has focused a lot on Al is striking to me because I highly doubt he will make it past round two. The awkwardness of their friendship is really beginning to bother me, yet something tells me that Al has an important role in the book for some reason. Perhaps as a member of the Factionless, Al will prove to be an important character. Or maybe he is very strong mentally, but it doesn't seem to be so since he cried the very first night in Dauntless.
Four clearly is developing a bias against the antagonists. I reach this conclusion from statements like "if you intend to secure yourself a high rank, I suggest you don't make it a habit of losing to low-ranked opponents". Molly, Drew, and Peter are definitely fed up with this, and in turn are becoming more and more violent and cruel. Molly's threat towards Tris is frightening, and I know Molly won't forget to take revenge. Peter and Drew already seems to have already taken his revenge against the system, as it can be speculated that they are the assailants behind Edward's stabbing. I am anticipating a violent act from Molly any time in the next half of the book.
Will's information regarding the faction manifestos is also intriguing to me. The Dauntless faction has recently felt the winds of reform, with Eric being the new, and Four being the old. As with Eric, the new system values individual physical strength, while the old values teamwork and acts of courage whether physical or otherwise. I feel as if the Utopian system is crumbling as the hands of those who feel specific fervor for a certain trait in their faction, rather that supporting diverse traits that the faction encompasses.
Tris is becoming a true member of the Dauntless, judging by her willingness to unwaveringly get up and run with the Dauntless-born to the Hancock Building to participate in an unknown but likely dangerous stunt. The already initiated members of Dauntless don't seem afraid when they glide down from the roof of the skyscraper on a cable, and this provokes Tris to question if "people just get better at hiding their fear" after initiation is over. I suppose this might be true, although I find it hard to believe that I could overcome my fear of heights. It is very frightening for me to imagine participating in such a feat, since the idea of falling is quite horrifying. I imagine it to be much like those dreams when it feels as if the ground is rushing closer and that at any minute you might hit the ground, but you don't know when because you can't see. The idea is fully tantalizing.
I really am liking how Tris is able to fit in with the other initiates! She is finding a place amongst the Dauntless and has come a long way since choosing the faction out of three factions that suited her in their own ways. Those who are already initiated have a sense of teamwork and companionship, but how will that be affected by the new initiates being trained under the newer system? The faction will truly crumble if teamwork does not become a priority.
Another occurrence I noted was the way Tris changed in the eyes of those around her after her experience. Even immediately before she glided from the building, Zeke had referred to her as "Stiff". Shauna points out afterwards that she won't refer to her as "Stiff" anymore, but as Tris. This name change symbolizes a real turning point for Tris-- she is on her way to being 100% pure Dauntless.
Stage 2 of initiation sound like it would be psychologically very burdensome yet interesting. To be able to have experiences within your mind but not physically suffer the consequences is quite a futuristic idea. I honestly have no clue what sort of ordeal would be in store for me, but Tris's experience is sickening in the least. Judging by Four's comments following the simulation, however, I feel like the mental and emotional challenges will propel Tris closer to the top spot of the ranking system. It is odd that although she was visibly shaken by the event, she was still three times faster than most other initiates. I wonder if physical strength correlated to a poor time, whereas the physically weaker had a better time since they were more inclined to give up fighting earlier. I suppose time will show if my theory is correct.
I am beginning to identify many contrasting features between the dauntless born and initiates like Peter and Molly. The Dauntless born are well humored and jocular all the time, even in the faces of frightful situations. Peter and Molly, on the other hand are serious and have poor intentions in many of their actions. I do not believe that this way of acting will bid the antagonists well as the initiation process progresses. But then again, crime apparently goes unpunished under the leadership of Eric.
My absolutely most favorite quotation would from this chapter would be: "No, Tris. You look as tough as nails." Tris and Four really have a beautiful friendship that I think has the potential to blossom into a relationship. I do not see this as the central theme of the book, however. It is merely garnishment to a greater central theme that I will be able to formulate in my mind better as I read ahead.
Four clearly is developing a bias against the antagonists. I reach this conclusion from statements like "if you intend to secure yourself a high rank, I suggest you don't make it a habit of losing to low-ranked opponents". Molly, Drew, and Peter are definitely fed up with this, and in turn are becoming more and more violent and cruel. Molly's threat towards Tris is frightening, and I know Molly won't forget to take revenge. Peter and Drew already seems to have already taken his revenge against the system, as it can be speculated that they are the assailants behind Edward's stabbing. I am anticipating a violent act from Molly any time in the next half of the book.
Will's information regarding the faction manifestos is also intriguing to me. The Dauntless faction has recently felt the winds of reform, with Eric being the new, and Four being the old. As with Eric, the new system values individual physical strength, while the old values teamwork and acts of courage whether physical or otherwise. I feel as if the Utopian system is crumbling as the hands of those who feel specific fervor for a certain trait in their faction, rather that supporting diverse traits that the faction encompasses.
Tris is becoming a true member of the Dauntless, judging by her willingness to unwaveringly get up and run with the Dauntless-born to the Hancock Building to participate in an unknown but likely dangerous stunt. The already initiated members of Dauntless don't seem afraid when they glide down from the roof of the skyscraper on a cable, and this provokes Tris to question if "people just get better at hiding their fear" after initiation is over. I suppose this might be true, although I find it hard to believe that I could overcome my fear of heights. It is very frightening for me to imagine participating in such a feat, since the idea of falling is quite horrifying. I imagine it to be much like those dreams when it feels as if the ground is rushing closer and that at any minute you might hit the ground, but you don't know when because you can't see. The idea is fully tantalizing.
I really am liking how Tris is able to fit in with the other initiates! She is finding a place amongst the Dauntless and has come a long way since choosing the faction out of three factions that suited her in their own ways. Those who are already initiated have a sense of teamwork and companionship, but how will that be affected by the new initiates being trained under the newer system? The faction will truly crumble if teamwork does not become a priority.
Another occurrence I noted was the way Tris changed in the eyes of those around her after her experience. Even immediately before she glided from the building, Zeke had referred to her as "Stiff". Shauna points out afterwards that she won't refer to her as "Stiff" anymore, but as Tris. This name change symbolizes a real turning point for Tris-- she is on her way to being 100% pure Dauntless.
Stage 2 of initiation sound like it would be psychologically very burdensome yet interesting. To be able to have experiences within your mind but not physically suffer the consequences is quite a futuristic idea. I honestly have no clue what sort of ordeal would be in store for me, but Tris's experience is sickening in the least. Judging by Four's comments following the simulation, however, I feel like the mental and emotional challenges will propel Tris closer to the top spot of the ranking system. It is odd that although she was visibly shaken by the event, she was still three times faster than most other initiates. I wonder if physical strength correlated to a poor time, whereas the physically weaker had a better time since they were more inclined to give up fighting earlier. I suppose time will show if my theory is correct.
I am beginning to identify many contrasting features between the dauntless born and initiates like Peter and Molly. The Dauntless born are well humored and jocular all the time, even in the faces of frightful situations. Peter and Molly, on the other hand are serious and have poor intentions in many of their actions. I do not believe that this way of acting will bid the antagonists well as the initiation process progresses. But then again, crime apparently goes unpunished under the leadership of Eric.
My absolutely most favorite quotation would from this chapter would be: "No, Tris. You look as tough as nails." Tris and Four really have a beautiful friendship that I think has the potential to blossom into a relationship. I do not see this as the central theme of the book, however. It is merely garnishment to a greater central theme that I will be able to formulate in my mind better as I read ahead.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Chapters Thirteen Through Fifteen
Even before anything happened, Eric's posture and tone foreshadowed something cruel. Al is unfortunate enough to fall on Eric's bad side.
It seems to me as if many newcomer initiated are having difficulties suppressing their old ways. Al certainly is having the hardest time transitioning, as evidenced by his tearful nights and nightmares. Unfortunately for Al, he is a Candor and his honesty doesn't help him in the initiation process. I have a feeling that Al will not be successful in Dauntless even if he survives initiation, and I pity him.
Tris herself is having trouble hiding her Divergent side; the combination of courage and selflessness used in defending Al is evidence of her Abnegation and Dauntless aptitudes. Tris even admits that she feels the Divergent traits radiating from herself.
After her episode of bravery, Tris argues with Four since he purposely cut her ear with the knife. I notice that although he exclaims, "I'm getting a little tired of waiting for you to catch on!", Four never clarifies what he wants Tris to catch on to. I suppose it could be that she needs to keep a low profile if she wants to get into the faction in a good position.
On the morning of visiting day, Tris notices that "dauntless initiation has stolen whatever softness my body had". Although referring to her physique, the phrase also applies to her psyche/personality.
Even after knocking Molly down, Tris beat her brutally-- something she would never have even been able to fathom as a member of Abnegation. She was beating Molly so hard that Four even had to intervene in order to prevent permanent injury. In away, however, the beating was understandable considering Molly's vicious bullying of Tris. Tris even admits that she doesn't even feel guilty about her overkill fight with Molly.
Furthermore, Tris engaged in aggressive arguments with both Four and Will's sister Cara, whom she hadn't even met before. Such a bold attitude is nothing like the Beatrice we used to know. More and more, Tris is disregarding and forgetting the teachings of her parents with each passing day as a Dauntless. It should be interesting when she and her mother meet again, if they do.
Upon reuniting with her mother on Visiting Day, I obtained some much desired information about the inner workings of the factions. I have a feeling that there is some deep Government running these factions for some unsavory purpose, and I am interested to get down to the bottom of who is behind all of it. Natalie Prior, Tris's mother seems to have an idea as to what is going on, but she simply will not divulge the information to Tris. In particular, the issue that "'tensions between [the] factions are higher than ever'" interests me. Although founded as a Utopian society, it is clear that the factions are becoming a dystopian compound. The way that the people are now locked in and guarded as well as the rising tensions seems to allude that something secret is happening. Something so dangerous would indeed would put Tris's safety at risk considering that she is "Divergent", and that is something that is dangerous under normal conditions.
The way that Natalie Prior stated that Four looked familiar to her. That is a rather odd statement, and I feel it may become of importance later. Also, when Natalie pulled Tris aside to discuss the her life as a Dauntless, she inspects a light fixture nearby as if looking for a camera or bug monitoring them. it was all very odd, especially how she couldn't tell Tris why being Divergent was so bad or why she needed to know more about the simulation serum. I am desperate for some answers here, but I'm getting even more questions than I am answers as I read on. Perhaps the answers are saved for later books? I'll be finding out in due time, that's for sure.
It seems to me as if many newcomer initiated are having difficulties suppressing their old ways. Al certainly is having the hardest time transitioning, as evidenced by his tearful nights and nightmares. Unfortunately for Al, he is a Candor and his honesty doesn't help him in the initiation process. I have a feeling that Al will not be successful in Dauntless even if he survives initiation, and I pity him.
Tris herself is having trouble hiding her Divergent side; the combination of courage and selflessness used in defending Al is evidence of her Abnegation and Dauntless aptitudes. Tris even admits that she feels the Divergent traits radiating from herself.
After her episode of bravery, Tris argues with Four since he purposely cut her ear with the knife. I notice that although he exclaims, "I'm getting a little tired of waiting for you to catch on!", Four never clarifies what he wants Tris to catch on to. I suppose it could be that she needs to keep a low profile if she wants to get into the faction in a good position.
On the morning of visiting day, Tris notices that "dauntless initiation has stolen whatever softness my body had". Although referring to her physique, the phrase also applies to her psyche/personality.
Even after knocking Molly down, Tris beat her brutally-- something she would never have even been able to fathom as a member of Abnegation. She was beating Molly so hard that Four even had to intervene in order to prevent permanent injury. In away, however, the beating was understandable considering Molly's vicious bullying of Tris. Tris even admits that she doesn't even feel guilty about her overkill fight with Molly.
Furthermore, Tris engaged in aggressive arguments with both Four and Will's sister Cara, whom she hadn't even met before. Such a bold attitude is nothing like the Beatrice we used to know. More and more, Tris is disregarding and forgetting the teachings of her parents with each passing day as a Dauntless. It should be interesting when she and her mother meet again, if they do.
Upon reuniting with her mother on Visiting Day, I obtained some much desired information about the inner workings of the factions. I have a feeling that there is some deep Government running these factions for some unsavory purpose, and I am interested to get down to the bottom of who is behind all of it. Natalie Prior, Tris's mother seems to have an idea as to what is going on, but she simply will not divulge the information to Tris. In particular, the issue that "'tensions between [the] factions are higher than ever'" interests me. Although founded as a Utopian society, it is clear that the factions are becoming a dystopian compound. The way that the people are now locked in and guarded as well as the rising tensions seems to allude that something secret is happening. Something so dangerous would indeed would put Tris's safety at risk considering that she is "Divergent", and that is something that is dangerous under normal conditions.
The way that Natalie Prior stated that Four looked familiar to her. That is a rather odd statement, and I feel it may become of importance later. Also, when Natalie pulled Tris aside to discuss the her life as a Dauntless, she inspects a light fixture nearby as if looking for a camera or bug monitoring them. it was all very odd, especially how she couldn't tell Tris why being Divergent was so bad or why she needed to know more about the simulation serum. I am desperate for some answers here, but I'm getting even more questions than I am answers as I read on. Perhaps the answers are saved for later books? I'll be finding out in due time, that's for sure.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Chapters Ten Through Twelve
I continue to have questions about the process for selecting initiates. Since girls are physically not as burly as boys yet are still expected to compete with them, there must be fewer females in the abnegation faction. However, now that I give it some thought, there might be an advantage giver to the girls in the mental and emotional side.
As Tris and Peter fight one another, I notice that Peter seems to be very snide. Tris tries not to think about his remarks, but she can't forget them, which causes her to falter and fail. Perhaps Peter is more mental than physical and Tris must learn to disregard him, or it may be that Peter is mostly physical and Tris hasn't yet learned to be mentally strong.
I also am anticipating the "Visiting Day." Al and Tris discuss this, Tris explains that she "'[doesn't] know it it will be good or bad'" to see them again. Al thinks that it would be bad to see them again. By this, I think that Al is nervous that he will become more upset and find the transition to Dauntless more lengthened. For Tris, I think that she wishes to see her mother, who she so loved, but she is frightened to visit with her father, whom she has betrayed.
Moving forward to the field trip to the fence, I was hoping to learn more about what lays in the outside world. What I was able to find out was that interestingly enough, the Dauntless didn't have to guard the fence until just five years prior. I believe that someone had tried to escape the compound, as evidenced by the way the wall is locked on the outside. Tris herself, on page 122, asks, "'what do you think is out there?'", adding "'I mean, beyond the fence.'" Christina's answer is only of course what average member of the factions knows lies beyond: farms.
The Amity control the farms, where they spend time picking produce (apparently by traditional methods) and singing songs as well as traditional instruments. Despite the lack of true intellectual activity, life in Amity seems beautiful and extremely enjoyable.
Upon being woken up at a late hour by Four and Eric, it was my last thought that a game would be taking place. This, however, is precisely what happens. At Navy Pier, I take notice of some interesting setting descriptions provided buy Tris. The Great Lakes now have, it seems, become largely marshland. I wonder what sort of dramatic change could cause this phenomena. Additionally, the number of abandoned buildings that Tris can see makes me wonder what sort of population the factions have. Certainly, there cannot be many. If there are such few members at the time of this book, then how many people were there when the factions were established?
One sentence in particular irks me: "Whoever left these places left them by choice and at their leisure. Some places in the city are not like that." I wonder what sort of sinister event forced these people to leave their homes in a hurry, and how many of these people survived. Speaking of that, I am dying to know where the ancestors of the faction members originated: were they government leaders? Average Chicagoans?
Finally, I am see an oddity in the family units of the factions: everyone seems to have exactly one sibling who is exactly their age. Robert and Susan both were 16 and attended the choosing ceremony, while both Caleb and Beatrice left their families in the same year. I also now have found out that Rita, who fell to her death in the initiation, was a sibling to another initiate. Are all of these children truly biological siblings? Who are their birth parents? Are their parents forced to give birth to twins?
Monday, April 22, 2013
Chapters Seven Through Nine
I am now noticing that Tris, as she is now known, still is holding onto her Abnegation-like thoughts, but she loves the idea of this new life among the dauntless. As she begins trying to fit in, I wonder what her first tattoo will be? All Dauntless seem to have one, so I imagine that it must be a requirement.
On page 65, I also picked up on my first bit of symbolism, and I imagine that there is much more that has escaped me. As Tris and the fellow outsider initiates cross the Pit, to their left the water is calm, which I suppose represents a calm yet serious side of the Dauntless. Moreover, to the right, the water below is thrashing-- "it is white, battling with rock." To me, this would represent a fierce side of the Dauntless, yet the white I believe represents purity. Perhaps the fierceness is for a just cause.
Often times, I notice that Tris is faced with those who judge her purely based on her faction. She has already been called a "stiff" multiple times by members of various factions, and it seems that other factions do not have a pejorative names that label them. I have also picked up on rivalries amongst those within dauntless. The way Four became tense around Eric makes it appear that Four fears Eric, who maybe rules with an iron fist over all members of Dauntless. In addition, Four's stern warning to Tris-- "Careful, Tris"-- might reveal the reason for divergent being dangerous. Her inability to contain actions that are not encouraged in either her birth faction or her initiate faction seem to anger Four.
At the beginning of initiation, the nine newcomers are told that "'preparation eradicates cowardice, which we define as the failure to act in the midst of fear.'" I suppose that this means that backing down is not an option, and this is why it must be important to eliminate as many as half of the initiates who simply aren't prepared. It also makes me wonder if the other factions eliminate as many as half of the new initiates. If so, the population of the factionless must equal the population of the city... but I could understand the Dauntless doing this since it takes a certain level of fearlessness to be factionless.
When all of the newcomer initiates gather for dinner, I notice how their communication is much like that of a multicultural collection of individuals. They are all shocked by the various oddities within each faction and develop new ideas with one another. For example, Tris is the only one who is disrupted by public display of affection, and therefore she claims that she will try to become accustomed to it. The relationship between Tris and Christina is growing to be very strong. The way that they make eye contact in the mirror is in my opinion rather symbolic as Tris and her mother did it the day of her aptitude test. Speaking of her family, I was very touched by the tattoo selection Tris made; I do not believe that she could have picked anything more meaningful as three falcons flying to her heart to represent the family she left behind.
On page 94, I see that Tris still is tied to her old faction rather strongly. She says, "I shouldn't be gossiping anyway. Gossiping is self-indulgent." This is just one instance where she has reverted to the rules of her birth faction and allowing them to dictate her feelings. This also provides further evidence as to why being divergent is a danger.
Just as within The Hunger Games series, there is a group of antagonists. Likewise to The Hunger Games, this group is described as cold and ruthless. The way that Molly beats Christina without mercy is evident of this.
Also, I think that I have discovered a deeper meaning behind the water symbolism back in the top of my post! I believe that the cam side represents Four with his sternly calm and occasionally pleasant side. The violent side, however, is almost certainly meant to represent Eric. He is by far the more aggressive of the two, as evidenced by his punishment of Christina for her failure to fight to a K.O. The way the waves were crashing up and reaching for her as she dangled off the edge of the rail was almost like Eric trying to pull her down into the water. This is clearly a sort of symbolism that foreshadows the personalities of Four and Eric.
On page 65, I also picked up on my first bit of symbolism, and I imagine that there is much more that has escaped me. As Tris and the fellow outsider initiates cross the Pit, to their left the water is calm, which I suppose represents a calm yet serious side of the Dauntless. Moreover, to the right, the water below is thrashing-- "it is white, battling with rock." To me, this would represent a fierce side of the Dauntless, yet the white I believe represents purity. Perhaps the fierceness is for a just cause.
Often times, I notice that Tris is faced with those who judge her purely based on her faction. She has already been called a "stiff" multiple times by members of various factions, and it seems that other factions do not have a pejorative names that label them. I have also picked up on rivalries amongst those within dauntless. The way Four became tense around Eric makes it appear that Four fears Eric, who maybe rules with an iron fist over all members of Dauntless. In addition, Four's stern warning to Tris-- "Careful, Tris"-- might reveal the reason for divergent being dangerous. Her inability to contain actions that are not encouraged in either her birth faction or her initiate faction seem to anger Four.
At the beginning of initiation, the nine newcomers are told that "'preparation eradicates cowardice, which we define as the failure to act in the midst of fear.'" I suppose that this means that backing down is not an option, and this is why it must be important to eliminate as many as half of the initiates who simply aren't prepared. It also makes me wonder if the other factions eliminate as many as half of the new initiates. If so, the population of the factionless must equal the population of the city... but I could understand the Dauntless doing this since it takes a certain level of fearlessness to be factionless.
When all of the newcomer initiates gather for dinner, I notice how their communication is much like that of a multicultural collection of individuals. They are all shocked by the various oddities within each faction and develop new ideas with one another. For example, Tris is the only one who is disrupted by public display of affection, and therefore she claims that she will try to become accustomed to it. The relationship between Tris and Christina is growing to be very strong. The way that they make eye contact in the mirror is in my opinion rather symbolic as Tris and her mother did it the day of her aptitude test. Speaking of her family, I was very touched by the tattoo selection Tris made; I do not believe that she could have picked anything more meaningful as three falcons flying to her heart to represent the family she left behind.
On page 94, I see that Tris still is tied to her old faction rather strongly. She says, "I shouldn't be gossiping anyway. Gossiping is self-indulgent." This is just one instance where she has reverted to the rules of her birth faction and allowing them to dictate her feelings. This also provides further evidence as to why being divergent is a danger.
Just as within The Hunger Games series, there is a group of antagonists. Likewise to The Hunger Games, this group is described as cold and ruthless. The way that Molly beats Christina without mercy is evident of this.
Also, I think that I have discovered a deeper meaning behind the water symbolism back in the top of my post! I believe that the cam side represents Four with his sternly calm and occasionally pleasant side. The violent side, however, is almost certainly meant to represent Eric. He is by far the more aggressive of the two, as evidenced by his punishment of Christina for her failure to fight to a K.O. The way the waves were crashing up and reaching for her as she dangled off the edge of the rail was almost like Eric trying to pull her down into the water. This is clearly a sort of symbolism that foreshadows the personalities of Four and Eric.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Chapters Four Through Six
Again, I start out today's entry by remarking on the new details I have found describing the setting. Firstly, I found it interesting that the food eaten by the community comes from "far away" farms-- who lives at these farms? Is this like other dystopian books I have read, in which those in the community have no contact with the outside world?
As for the cultural geography of the community, I have begun noticing that each faction resembles, in a way, a form of governmental ideology. Abnegation (the selflessness) in particular gave Marxist-Lenin vibes, in particular the way that all people are socioeconomically equal. Talking of the homes in Abnegation, on page 27 Beatrice states: "They are of grey cement, with few windows". This is the staple of buildings found in communistic societies-- no nonsense impracticalities to be found. Candor, with its truthfulness, reminded me of an ideological democracy, and Dauntless (the brave) reminds me of anarchism in their daring and downright irrational actions. Along with political behaviors, I was almost shocked to see the use of even a small amount of religion (apparently Christianity) by Beatrice's family. In all other dystopian books that I have read, I have seen virtually no references to higher powers
As Beatrice proceeds to the ceremony in which she will choose the faction that best suits her future, I noticed some of the interesting contrasts between her feelings for Dauntless and Abnegation. Beatrice, in previous chapters, has both criticized and defended the two factions. In regards to Dauntless, she felt that the strange piercing on the bodies of many of the Dauntless was of no purpose or any practical meaning. Towards her own faction, she hated the way which her family was constantly bent at the service of others and each other. Beatrice herself had a very curious mind; she was always asking questions. It is for this thirst of curiosity that I believe sparked her desire to join the Dauntless.
I learned further about the history of the factions through Marcus's speech at the faction selection ceremony at the "Hub" (Sears Tower). Marcus described how humanity realized that neither "'political ideology, religious belief, race, or nationalism'" are to blame for a "'warring world'", but the various human inclinations toward evil that caused it. Each of the factions was therefore designed to prevent the delicate balance of the world from being inclined toward evil. As a result, each faction has a job. Beatrice's faction, Abnegation, fulfills the roles of selfless governmental leaders. However, Beatrice chooses to leave behind her old life at the choosing ceremony. Her new faction, Dauntless, provides protection from "threats both within and from without. I thus speculate that Beatrice-- who has renamed herself "Tris"-- will work on something relating to the outside world, and I am certain that I will be learning more about how the factions operate, and what, if anything, lies outside of their community.
Finally, I found myself shocked when Caleb (Beatrice's brother) chose to leave his family and betray his father by joining the Erudite, a faction with distaste for Abnegation. It was unexpected for me, especially considering how selfless Caleb always seemed to act. The only reasonable explanation I have is that he sees a possible conflict arising amongst the factions, and he seeks to try to put an end to it by acting as a mediator. I also believe that Caleb's mother may believe the same thing, as she actually smiled following the defection of both of her children from Abnegation. While Beatrice's father seemed to rage with wrath, "behind him, my mother is smiling"-- a stark contrast between two people who appeared to always get along. It will be interesting If either parent chooses to say a final goodbye to their children, who have so abandoned them.
As for the cultural geography of the community, I have begun noticing that each faction resembles, in a way, a form of governmental ideology. Abnegation (the selflessness) in particular gave Marxist-Lenin vibes, in particular the way that all people are socioeconomically equal. Talking of the homes in Abnegation, on page 27 Beatrice states: "They are of grey cement, with few windows". This is the staple of buildings found in communistic societies-- no nonsense impracticalities to be found. Candor, with its truthfulness, reminded me of an ideological democracy, and Dauntless (the brave) reminds me of anarchism in their daring and downright irrational actions. Along with political behaviors, I was almost shocked to see the use of even a small amount of religion (apparently Christianity) by Beatrice's family. In all other dystopian books that I have read, I have seen virtually no references to higher powers
As Beatrice proceeds to the ceremony in which she will choose the faction that best suits her future, I noticed some of the interesting contrasts between her feelings for Dauntless and Abnegation. Beatrice, in previous chapters, has both criticized and defended the two factions. In regards to Dauntless, she felt that the strange piercing on the bodies of many of the Dauntless was of no purpose or any practical meaning. Towards her own faction, she hated the way which her family was constantly bent at the service of others and each other. Beatrice herself had a very curious mind; she was always asking questions. It is for this thirst of curiosity that I believe sparked her desire to join the Dauntless.
I learned further about the history of the factions through Marcus's speech at the faction selection ceremony at the "Hub" (Sears Tower). Marcus described how humanity realized that neither "'political ideology, religious belief, race, or nationalism'" are to blame for a "'warring world'", but the various human inclinations toward evil that caused it. Each of the factions was therefore designed to prevent the delicate balance of the world from being inclined toward evil. As a result, each faction has a job. Beatrice's faction, Abnegation, fulfills the roles of selfless governmental leaders. However, Beatrice chooses to leave behind her old life at the choosing ceremony. Her new faction, Dauntless, provides protection from "threats both within and from without. I thus speculate that Beatrice-- who has renamed herself "Tris"-- will work on something relating to the outside world, and I am certain that I will be learning more about how the factions operate, and what, if anything, lies outside of their community.
Finally, I found myself shocked when Caleb (Beatrice's brother) chose to leave his family and betray his father by joining the Erudite, a faction with distaste for Abnegation. It was unexpected for me, especially considering how selfless Caleb always seemed to act. The only reasonable explanation I have is that he sees a possible conflict arising amongst the factions, and he seeks to try to put an end to it by acting as a mediator. I also believe that Caleb's mother may believe the same thing, as she actually smiled following the defection of both of her children from Abnegation. While Beatrice's father seemed to rage with wrath, "behind him, my mother is smiling"-- a stark contrast between two people who appeared to always get along. It will be interesting If either parent chooses to say a final goodbye to their children, who have so abandoned them.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Chapters One Through Three
Initially, I observed that this book feels much like The Giver meets The Hunger Games. In the opening lines of the piece, Beatrice describes how her mother "pulls my hair away from my face and twists it into a knot", just as The Hunger Games feature the mother fixing her daughter's hair in the beginning. The cult-like ways of the various factions remind me of how all people in The Giver lived in a cult society, worshipping the organization of the community. Without a faction, there is no reason to live anymore. In addition, the ways in which characters are forced to make quick decisions and fight for themselves reminded me of The Hunger Games.
As for setting, I got the image of a city that is surreal-- one that can't possibly exist on Earth today. I am very curious about the society in which Beatrice lives: What year is it? What happened to the society of today? Are there other settlements existing? How many people live in the Chicago area?
In regards to the history of the factions, I strongly picked up on the fact that Beatrice had not seen the word "murderer" in quite some time. "It has been a long time since I last read that word, but even its shape fills me with dread", says Beatrice on page 17. I imagine that crime is practically nonexistent or very uncommon amongst the factions. On the other hand, the way that the factionless man grabbed Beatrice and said that she appeared to young to be out alone made me wonder if perhaps evildoing only exists among the factionless.
Other details which stuck out to me was the way that each building had glass walls. Where do such materials for construction come from? I find it highly unlikely that such odd buildings exist in today's Chicago.
The factions themselves are all very striking to me. The way that each has it's own culture and popular styles suggests that they are as the ethnic groups of today's world. Beatrice looks upon her own faction as an ethnicity of sorts, remarking that "when I look at the Abnegation lifestyle as an outsider, I think it's beautiful." However, they most certainly will not adopt bits of new "cultures" or mix. I noticed that the book hinted that there are perhaps punishments for betraying your faction and adopting another-- what type of punishments are they, though?
As for setting, I got the image of a city that is surreal-- one that can't possibly exist on Earth today. I am very curious about the society in which Beatrice lives: What year is it? What happened to the society of today? Are there other settlements existing? How many people live in the Chicago area?
In regards to the history of the factions, I strongly picked up on the fact that Beatrice had not seen the word "murderer" in quite some time. "It has been a long time since I last read that word, but even its shape fills me with dread", says Beatrice on page 17. I imagine that crime is practically nonexistent or very uncommon amongst the factions. On the other hand, the way that the factionless man grabbed Beatrice and said that she appeared to young to be out alone made me wonder if perhaps evildoing only exists among the factionless.
Other details which stuck out to me was the way that each building had glass walls. Where do such materials for construction come from? I find it highly unlikely that such odd buildings exist in today's Chicago.
The factions themselves are all very striking to me. The way that each has it's own culture and popular styles suggests that they are as the ethnic groups of today's world. Beatrice looks upon her own faction as an ethnicity of sorts, remarking that "when I look at the Abnegation lifestyle as an outsider, I think it's beautiful." However, they most certainly will not adopt bits of new "cultures" or mix. I noticed that the book hinted that there are perhaps punishments for betraying your faction and adopting another-- what type of punishments are they, though?
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