Wiki+Project

= BOOK # 1- DIVERGENT = =**Wiki Post #1**=
 * Weekly Reading Goal:** Already Read
 * **Synopsis of __Divergent__ by Veronica Roth**

In a dystopian future set in Chicago, everyone is separated into five factions, which each have main principles they honor to help the society in a specific way. Dauntless (bravery), Amity (peaceful), Abnegation (selflessness), Candor (honesty), and Erudite (knowledge) make up the five factions. However, when one turns 16 they must take #|an aptitude test to help them decide if they want to remain in their factions or change factions. The protagonist, Beatrice Prior, was born Abnegation, but after her test she begins to learn a lot about herself and her society, which soon adds danger in her and her loved one's lives.

Roth's social critique will most likely have to do with both government control and inequality. This idea of separating society into different factions proposes the idea of a totalitarian government in which every aspect of a person's life is dictated by what they can do to benefit the society. Also, the idea that everyone has to be with people exactly like them is the idea of segregation and inequality since they do not interact or mix with anyone else. I think the author tries to portray the fear instilled in people to interact with people they think are different. Also, I think Roth will convey the ignorance or intolerance people have to people of different race or faction in this case. || [|Tea Party’s shutdown tactics pose new challenges for GOP]

This article connects to the idea of government and separation in this society as it takes about the recent government shutdown and how some believe the Republicans are to blame. This demonstrates the us versus them mentality in our political system in tact today. This continual blame of one #|party or even faction being held responsible for something ties to Roth's idea or the society eventually separating further alienating other parts and people. This only encourages the disapproval of anyone who does not fit in the parameters of the society, which in the book is someone Divergent.

=**Wiki Post #2 Passage Analysis**=
 * Weekly Reading Goal:** Already Read


 * Context/Response:** This passage is in Chapter 5 when each 16 year old, in this future set society, must now decide which fraction they want to belong to during the Choosing Ceremony. One of the leaders, from the Abnegation faction, opens up the ceremony with a speech explaining how and why they have this faction system. I think the author provided a clear understanding of this dystopia and how it works. In this passage, I thought it was ironic that Marcus said they believed in the philosophy that every man had the right to choose his own way in this world because if a person chose to transfer factions or even be factionless than it seemed they would be condemned for that decision, even if it is their right. This reminded me of the line on the front cover of the book- "one choice can transform you"- and how this Choosing Ceremony is a defining moment for the characters we are to meet in the later chapters. Also, the main character seems to already be showing her change in thoughts about this society as she is realizing that this freedom to choose one's way in the world only has five predetermined ways. She is noticing the dystopian qualities of this society too as she starts to criticize it unknowingly.




 * Analysis/Connections:** The author uses this opening scene of the Choosing Ceremony to inform the reader about the way in which this future society works. Marcus' speech explains that the factions are needed to achieve this idea of a "perfect" society. The author uses the speech to set the mood of the novel and allow the reader to grasp its workings without direct explanation from the narrator as it is in first person. The effect of this passage is that the audience is informed about the factions and is able to form an opinion about the society and possibly understand that it is really a dystopian world. This connects to the essential question about what these depictions reveal about the present. This passage reveals how the author thinks that the world is at such an array at moment. I think she is critiquing how humans deal with problems. It may be true that its humankind's inclination toward evil that is an issue, but dividing people into factions doesn't seem to be the solution. This is like the book Brave New World, the idea that people need to be classed and separated to make a better world. This just reveals how bad authors think the world is right now and what path we are headed towards.

=**Wiki Post #3 Passage Analysis**=
 * Weekly Reading Goal:** Already Read


 * Context/Response:** This Passage is in the end of Chapter 11. Tris is in the midst of stage 1 of initiation for the Dauntless faction and they have taken the transfers to the gate, which Dauntless members guard. I think after Tris sees her old friend with the Amity and begins to see a possible life for herself, it demonstrates her Divergence and how she has many different qualities about herself. Divergence seems to be a dangerous thing for the people in this society because they might rebel against the system since they notice things and think differently from everyone else who is essentially brainwashed. I think this passage is very significant because Tris notices how the guards seem to be keeping the people in instead of keeping anyone out. As she pushes the thought out of her head, she is denying a very possible yet scary thought about their government controlling them and using them as she learns more about the corruption of the government later in the book. I also really liked this passage as it demonstrated the budding relationship between Tris and Four. He didn't stand to see her get beat up earlier in the story because he is starting to care for her. I like how the author drops these little moments within the book to convey their forming relationship.




 * Analysis/Connection:** Roth is able to portray Tris' Divergence and curiosity toward this society through her actions and thoughts. Firstly, she interacts with an old friend of hers that is in a different faction, which her Dauntless trainer tells her that was a poor decision. She continues to make these "poor" decisions which demonstrate her differences, which only make people notice her and begin to realize she may be a threat.Roth only conveys her growing curiosity through her doubts and questioning of the things around her. Here she questions the guards that are put in front of the gate and why it is locked in the inside. The author is both characterizing Tris and her awareness of situations but also foreshadows the corruption of government Tris will also discover later in the book. I think this connects to the essential question of what does it mean to be human; because humans have the natural tendency to ask questions and want answers and have many different aspects about their personalities which gives everyone different skill sets. I think this is why there is "divergence" in this book because that is what makes as humans; not having predetermined areas in which we have to be placed, but have many different aspects about ourselves which can also contribute society.

=**Wiki Post #4 Passage Analysis**= This passage is when Tris is in the middle of her initiation in her new faction, Dauntless. While with her new friends she runs into her trainer, Four, who is drunk and begins to flirt with her. Her friend Al, who has a crush on her, gets a little jealous. I think this passage is important since she reflects on her life prior to choosing Dauntless and what it has come to now. I think Tris is able to figure out who she really is now without the stigma of how an Abnegation girl is supposed to act. I think she is able to both find herself while discovering new things about herself and find a new perspective on life. I like the last line "Peace is restrained; this is free". I think it demonstrates how people sacrifice certain rights or privileges in order to achieve peace, but now Tris can see that peace does not mean freedom. Now she feels free and this demonstrates how choices and experiences change our sense of identity and perspective as Tris is learning after making her decision to become Dauntless. I think this is a big theme of the book: identity- since everyone is separated into factions, they have this sense of identity tied into the idea of what they are supposed to be, either Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, Erudite, or Candor. However, these are only five ideas of identity. I think this book's idea of Divergent conveys the idea that people are many different things and can't be categorized, like people tend to do.
 * Weekly Reading Goal:** Already Read
 * Context/Response:**
 * Analysis/Connection:** This passage demonstrates a lot of character development and forming relationships as Tris is creating her new life in Dauntless. As two guys, Al and Four, begin to show and interest in her and pursue her, it demonstrates the contrast between her old life and her new one. The author does so to convey just how naive Tris was prior to discovering she is Divergent. These little moments are important to Tris' self awareness as she begins to discover things about herself and the world around her. This connects to what is means to being human as it involves self discovery and forming ideals on the world around you.

=**Wiki Post #5 Passage Analysis**= This connects to the qualities of a dystopian world since there was this misconception that the world was perfect, but really, there were people plotting to control and be on top. Also, how i mentioned before about government control since that is why those who are Divergent are dangerous because they can't be controlled and that is why those who want to control attempt to eliminate them. =**Wiki Post #6 Analysis of Social Critique**= [|NPR: Stereotypes are only Human]
 * Weekly Reading Goal:** Already Read
 * Context/Response:** This passage is towards the end the the first book when many revelations are made to both the protagonist and the audience. We find out that her mother used to be Dauntless and that she is also Divergent. Tris begins to not feel so different since discovering she is Divergent since her boyfriend and mother are also. I found this passage very significant for a few reasons. One being that there is some character development of her mother, who was a minor character and also short lived. The second reason being that Tris finally comes to grips with what she really is: Divergent. The quote I highlighted as I read stuck out to me since it made me think that there really is no such thing as a utopia. The author must be commenting on the fact that humans have the natural tendency to be bad and that we can't be perfect, even if others try. I found this passage so significant as to how the author made the character development of Tris and her mother. It is so weird to imagine her mother like this for both Tris and the audience since she was painted as such a selfless housewife and now she is dangerous and using guns! I like how the author portrayed both these characters as if new people under these circumstances, but still the same since they are both Divergent.
 * Analysis/Connection:** The author made this the climax of the novel as the dystopian world in Divergent is being revealed for its true corruption and government control. The author utilizes this scene for the many unanswered questions of the reader and Tris. Roth is able to build up to this war that is unfolding and convey the development of these two characters through her tone and word choice. The author portrays Tris' mother in a new light through her actions. She is now seen as a Dauntless born Divergent. Roth portrays that through her actions and conversation with Tris. Tris is full of all these questions, and the audience is revealed just how much her mother knows about what is going on as she is in this mission to save her people and her daughter. We see that not only is she protective, but that she is strong and brave and yet fit into Abnegation, which indicates to the audience that Tris' mother is also Divergent. Roth develops Tris as she comes to the realization of who she is in the last sentences of this passage. The short simple sentences of "I am not Abnegation. I am not Dauntless. I am Divergent. And I can't be controlled' indicate this sense of self awareness she was developing in this first book. Also, through these short sentences the author sets this tone of confidence in Tris as her journey begins.