Literary Criticisms

Assimilation (Montes, Mark)

To begin, specifically in the book “Divergent” by Veronica Roth we see assimilation within the factions. For those that haven’t read the book there are 5 different factions that once you become of age you have to decide to join a new one or stay with the faction you grew up in. Each faction has different values, beliefs, and jobs. This practice causes an absurd amount of conformity because once within a faction you become accustomed to the way they live, and really there isn’t a big difference between the members anymore. For example, Tris the main character underwent significant changes to herself due to the switch of her factions. This pressure to conform within one’s faction can cause an identity crisis which we see later on. The quote mentioned several times throughout the book “Faction before blood” shows the extremity of leaving one’s family behind at the priority of becoming one with your faction. Due to these aspects of pressure on conformity, assimilation was a recurring theme throughout Roth’s writing. 

Identity Crisis (Yttring, Maya) (Seppänen, Marianne)

            As I mentioned before, the character, Tris, went through an identity crisis when trying to rediscover herself and her part within the Dauntless faction. Roth utilizes the identity crisis to show the growth and development of Tris’ character as she navigates through the transition of adulthood. She portrays this maturity through the awakening of Tris’ sexual awakening, rebellious resistance, and que​​stioning authority around her. Within the book “Divergent”, Tris finds a love interest within her new faction that causes doubt within herself. As for her rebellious resistance, Tris grows as a character because she looks at the bigger picture rather than being like everyone else in the faction. She chooses to fit the part by assimilating, but within she is questioning everything around her due to the lack of trust in the faction leaders. “Young people resist authority, face crises and other problems while trying to grow up, and try to make their voices heard in a society maintained by adults” (Seppänen, Marianne). This quote speaks volumes specifically to the character Tris because she wants to see change in a rather corrupt world. Roth exceeds standards when portraying Tris’ development and crisis as a character. 

Marginalization (Montes, Mark)

Earlier I mentioned that there were 5 other factions, but there was one that I left out. I left this faction out because throughout the book they are the group that is typically forgotten. The factionless. This group of people live on the street, are homeless, and don’t have a faction because they didn’t pass the factions tests or couldn't become accustomed to the factions way of life. This portrays marginalization because the factionless were the only people within the system that weren’t accepted. For example, Tobias’ mother, Evelyn Johnson chose to leave Abnegation for her own personal reasons. Typically, a lot of the factionless choose to leave because they didn’t agree with the concept of the faction system solely because they are viewed as a waste to the society and least entitled. Roth portrays the factionless as irrelevant and dull people to show how they are viewed through the eyes of people within a faction. 

Marxism (Prasgiyardi, Harnato)

Throughout Roth’s writing we see the utilization of the marxist lens. For example, in “Divergent” she represents the oppressed and the oppressing through the two factions of Abnegation and Erudite. We see this through the manipulation of Dauntless by Erudite to get what they want. Each faction represents the class system. Depending on what the character’s score in their aptitude test determines which faction would be best suited. With factionless being at the very end of the chain it allows readers to see the difference in treatment throughout the system. The use of the serum to get within the characters' minds' is the implementation of technological determinism by Roth. She does an excellent job of portraying the marxist lens to her dystopian writing and applying all aspects including successive property. Successive property is when someone feels entitled to possession of something through succession. We see this concept through Abnegation consistently leading the government while Erudite feels they are superior and deserve to run the government.