In the book Divergent, the world is divided into different factions. Each factions represent different personality traits that that faction in particular values and sees as essential. Candor is the honest, Erudite is the intelligent, Amity is the peaceful, Dauntless is the brave, Abnegation is the selflessness. The protagonist, Beatrice, belongs to Abnegation but struggles with being devoted to only one trait.
I think that there is a large problem with how the government is run. These factions each have very important values that people need to have. These factions are not friendly with each other though some more than others. If the factions are divided up like this, people will be very strong in one trait more than another. Each of these traits are very important and should be upheld. If the factions were eliminated, all of these traits could be taught equally. The people would have a well rounded personality rather than strong in honesty and lacking in selflessness. Or being peaceful but lacking bravery.
Another problem with the way the government is run is that it is difficult, especially for younger children, to decide which value they want to devote themselves to. Some people may not even know what bravery or peacefulness is. They cannot make up their mind for the way they want to live at such a young age. The thing that is most dreaded is being factionless. This means that you do not have a faction and that you are treated with less respect. The factionless usually clean streets and public areas. I can connect this to when slavery was legal in the United States. Slaves worked for their slave owners and were treated in an inhumane manner. I even see that in today's society, people who are homeless or are begging for money are often ignored and looked down upon. I believe it will take generations and generations before people will come together as one and not belittle others for the amount of money they have.
I agree entirely with your post. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to have your whole life on the line of one choice when you are 16, and their government is very skewed. On the cover of Divergent it says "ONE CHOICE CAN TRANSFORM YOU", so this whole 'choose your faction' plays a huge part in this book. Also, I think people are scared of divergent people because they are different than what they are used to. People prefer others who have specific and determined traits, not flexible people.
ReplyDeleteI think that having to make a choice that will define the rest of your life at age 16 is crazy. That is like deciding the rest of your life in high school. At age 16 your brain isn't even fully developed yet.
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