Divergent

Abstract

Divergent, the first novel of the highly acclaimed Divergent series, is set in a dystopian future in an isolated city of the United States of America, where society is divided in different factions, according to the each individual’s skills: Abnegation (selfless and helpful people), Amity (those who despise war and confusion, preferring a peaceful lifestyle), Candor (those we are best known for being truthful and honest), Dauntless (those with a penchant for adrenaline, bravery and action, often becoming officers and security personnel), and Erudite (renowned for their intelligence, often occupying positions in academia and as scientists). There is, however, a probability that an individual may classify as a Divergent, i.e. possessing the skills of more than one faction. At sixteen years old, people are tested to determine the faction which suits them best and are, then, expected to become part of that same faction. The novel follows the main character Tris as she undergoes the test and is determined to be Divergent. As this is socially condemned, her test administrator warns Tris to be silent about her condition. When she is required to choose a faction, she chooses to become Dauntless, and undergoes the necessary training to fulfil her role as a protector of society. However, it is eventually revealed that the Dauntless are pawns in the hands of the Erudite Jeanine Matthews, who deeply hates the Abnegation faction, and who injects the Dauntless with a serum which turns them into mindless soldiers that have no choice but to attack Abnegation. Tris is unaffected by the serum due to being Divergent, as well as her lover Tobias, who is Divergent as well. However, Jeanine is able to craft a serum that can control Tobias and override his Divergence. He attacks Tris but, as she doesn’t defend herself from him, he is able to oppose the serum’s effect. The novel ends with Tris and Tobias being able to free the Dauntless of the serum’s control as well, and to travel towards a region inhabited by the Amity.