Divergent

Veronica Roth’s Divergent is a type of dystopian novel that questions the nature of people and the society. The author’s story centres on a factionalised world divided by virtues like intelligence, peace, bravery, honesty and selflessness. This world sounds noble and orderly on the surface; but if you look deeper, you’d see that the system is built on the wrong idea of human nature. Humans are too complex to understand, and the novel’s core argument that societies become cruel when they demand simplicity. Thus, the protagonist: Tris’ dilemma is that she doesn’t fit on how the society believes that people should act. Thus, this book is mainly about conformity, identity and the consequences of forcing people to explore only one version of themselves.

The introductory chapters discussed this theme extensively. It shows Tris in Abnegation: a faction built on self-denial and humility; where daily acts like looking at the mirror is perceived as self-indulgent. The opening scenes are symbolic. The hidden mirror, the plain clothes, how Tris felt that she cannot be self-aware and the respectful behavior at the dinner table, all show how our society trains us in a particular way. Nevertheless, I loved that the book does not portray Tris as a rebel for the sake of rebellious as it shows several instances where she felt guilty for demanding something different. She cherishes her family but deeply understands that her behavior based on what Abnegation wants, is all pretenses. That made her choice at the ceremony matter more. It was a painfully dramatic moment that showed that becoming your true self may mean disappointing your friends and family.

The novel also has a clear message on courage and fear. Tris’ faction called ‘Dauntless’ looks great outside but is linked with confidence, danger and action. As soon as she becomes a member, she discovers that bravery can lead to competition, cruelty and performance. This is one of the central points of the book. Each faction is driven by a common good, but that good things become bad when it becomes the only option. Being honest can make you cruel. Being intelligent can make you rude, and being brave can make you rash. Thus, this book contends that good qualities should not be extreme but managed with balance. This was one of the major lessons from the book for me, although I think the factions can be too symbolic and simple to feel truly believable.

With that said, I love that this book can stand as an independent story. It has a fast pace with initiation scenes that keeps you on the edge. I found it utterly satisfying to see Tris shift from the Abnegation’s quiet settings to Dauntless’ chaotic world. She is also a great character to follow because she is not some heroine that surmounts every challenge thrown her way. Instead, she doubts herself, makes mistakes, gets scared and makes you want to feel her pain. Her relationship with Four is also refreshingly romantic because it grows from knowing each other rather than sheer obsession. However, I noticed some negative sides. For example, I noticed that the book was written around certain themes and the author often compressed the plot to pass that message. But that does not make the book boring or any less easy to read.

Looking at everything, Divergent is a thoughtful and strong young adult dystopian novel because it transforms what could have just been an enjoyable action story into something more interesting – a question about where we belong, who we are and what we lose when the world forces us to be someone else. I believe that it suits teenagers and younger readers who want to understand how the society works and the purpose of human existence. Four stars from me because it’s a page turner that has one clear message: that staying completely, messily human is harder than it seems but it is worth fighting for.