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.
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