adult fiction

Rebecca silver                                 Divergent                             808

            Many children often feel as though they’re neglected, or ignored. They wait to rebel, to hold strife against society, or maybe wanting to strike against their parents will. In any case, children act out against what everybody else believes in, in order to choose what they want. Tris Prior did exactly that. In “Divergent” by Veronica Roth, a 16- year old, Abnegation child is found to be Divergent, a highly dangerous person whose mind is flexible, or is able to shift. Put to the test she chooses Dauntless as her next faction, who is the complete opposite of Abnegation, brave but cruel. The author shows us real life children rebelling, in comparison to Tris’s own experience.

            Many children are often confused, not just about decisions but about life itself, while needing a strong idol to guide them. Tris, while feeling neglected by her Abnegation faction, decides to take the total opposite approach, choosing Dauntless who believes in violence. “One choice will define you, choose carefully.” Says Caleb. One chance. One choice. One whole new personality. This shows the pressure and uncertainty she must feel. The author shows us the difficult challenges she must face in order to choose Dauntless, and in order to get a whole new faction. “I couldn’t bear it anymore, I pushed my hands over the coals, I am Dauntless, I am brave.” Tris couldn’t live like the Abnegation. She’s saying she would rather be brave and choose decide on her own choices, then be told to do something. While showing real life connections, the author shows the joyful and the consequences of making your own decisions.

            There comes a time in each of our lives where we must choose for the better or for the worse. Tris, while still skeptical of choosing her own path, decides to head for Dauntless. “The men and women are very different from what I’m used to, however I must connect.” Veronica Roth shows us the struggles of adapting to a whole new life style, but to do so, you must first connect to those around you in order to create a peaceful environment. Even though it may be strange, choosing your own path allows you to earn a sense of responsibility. “No parents, no brother just me, I get to choose now.” The author shows us that Tris, who always listens to her parent’s guidance, now has a sense of independence and maturity. This shows us that choosing for ourselves isn’t always bad, however responsibility is power.

            Parents nurture and care for their child and, while trying to care for them. However in some odd cases, parent’s guidance doesn’t always help the child, but push them farther away. “The Erudite are bad people, never trust them,” exclaims Tris’s father. She listened, of course but when Caleb, her brother chooses Erudite as his next faction, Tris has no choice but to believe the cruel and judgmental things her parents have been feeding her. “I had no choice, to believe the wicked things they’re capable of.” This shows us that our parents beliefs can commonly make us believe in certain things, without really forming our own opinion.

            Many parents always want to be there for their children. Even though some are, many still rebel just to go against society or their rules. While responsibility is always good, it also comes with price. Using Tris’s experiences, the author allows us to see how maturity and making our own decisions can affect, not only us but everyone around us too. She uses two completely opposite factions to show us the comparison of how much can change, once a child has enough power to decide for themselves what path they want to follow.