Jordyn Kopelson- Blog Post 2

Veronica Roth writes in Divergent that “The gray clothes, the plain hairstyle, and the unassuming demeanor of my faction are supposed to make it easier for me to forgot myself and easier for everyone else to forget me too” (6).

Summary: In this quote, the protagonist of the novel, Beatrice, is describing how she feels within her family faction, which is called Abnegation, and how unimportant she feels as an individual within society. From this quote, it is clear that within this world, there is extreme uniformity, and no one can truly have his or her own identity. Overall, this passage stands out as having a dreary and or depressing tone, along with including words that create images of what Beatrice and everyone else in her faction look like.

·      So what step 1: 

Question: What is important about this quote?

Answer: This quote is important because it shows the readers that factions control ones everything within this society and kids, like Beatrice are born and raised into the faction of their family, therefore allowing for no self-discovery to be made. The words “gray, plain, and unassuming” are the most crucial words within this passage, as they show how much power a faction has over an individual, in which they can inevitably make everyone look the exact way.

·      So what step 2:

Question: Why is this detail significant to the text?

Answer: The details within this text show how overpowering the authority within a faction can be. Meaning, they have their set values and rules and everyone within the faction must follow them. Even if Beatrice wanted to be “different” she couldn’t or she would risk many dangers within her life. The Abnegation faction requires all of its citizens to be uniform and simple, without having a voice or opinion of his or her own.

·      So what step 3:

Question: Why is this detail in the text noteworthy?

Answer: This detail in the text is noteworthy because overall, it proves the point that within this particular dystopian society, no one can act or look in whatever manner they want. If one belongs to a faction, then that is who they are and they cannot be anything beyond this. Beatrice describes her family faction as being both manipulative and controlling, which ultimately causes her to forget who she is or who she ever truly was. Overall, she feels as if she is unable to be anything but a basic girl, with a basic look and a basic point of view.

·      So what step 4:

Question: What does it tell us about dystopia?

Answer: Overall, in dystopia, there is no such thing as being an individual. The authority within a dystopian society rules over everyone and creates a world in which everyone thinks and looks the same. Every thing is uniform and whatever beliefs they have are what its members must then believe in. Ultimately, the goal is for both the authority and its members to become a unit that functions as “one”.