Factions (Divergent): Difference between revisions

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In the Divergent trilogy and film, factions are societal divisions that classify citizens based on their aptitudes and values.^[1] The factions are Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), Erudite (the intelligent), Abnegation (the selfless), and Candor (the honest). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote for the rest of their lives with after taking a placement test.

In an interview Roth describes the factions to have expanded from her initial conception when doing worldbuilding. She added Candor to fill "a gap in the reasoning behind the world that needed to be filled."^[2]

Abnegation do not draw attention to themselves. Instead, they help others such as the factionless (homeless). Since the Abnegation are so selfless and have no lust for power, they are the leaders of the government. Their uniform is gray loose-fitting clothing but they can also wear a plain watch. This was the former faction of Tris, Caleb, Edith, and Four.

Always on the run, the Dauntless jump on moving trains and battle with each other. They are known for having many tattoos and piercings. The Dauntless normally dismiss Abnegation as "Stiffs", but former Abnegation member Tris Prior has left an impact on the Dauntless by being the first to jump off a building. Their uniform is black. The Dauntless will not visit on visiting day if a change in factions has occurred.

The Erudite are the city's scientists and teachers. They elect representatives based on their I.Q . Jeanine Matthews is their leader, and she invents serums that can brainwash everyone except for Divergents. They are required to wear one blue item to calm the mind, which helps stimulate thinking.

The Amity value peace above everything. They greet each other with hugs and initiate new members with sing-alongs. They tend to be the city's farmers, nurses, and artists. Their uniform is orange, red and yellow.

The Candor value honesty and can't tell a single lie. They say whatever's the truth, even if it gets them in trouble. They are often lawyers, for they are truthful about everything. The Candor believe that truth is black and white, so that is what they wear. Christina, Tris' best friend, was a former Candor member.

The factions use certain serums to keep their virtues under control. Every serum is created by Erudite, because they are scientists.

The Candor use Truth Serum for Candor initiation and interrogation. In Insurgent, the truth serum was visibly used for the first time on Four and eventually on Tris upon arriving in Candor for the first time. Jack Kang, Candor's leader, ordered the two be arrested and interrogated for allegedly committing crimes against humanity. While under the serum, Four was asked questions regarding his involvement in the simulation that controlled almost all of Dauntless, resulting in mass murder of innocent people. He answered truthfully, forced by the simulating effect of the serum. The Candor acquitted him of his crimes upon finding out Four's situation regarding his loss of control under Erudite's simulation. After Four, Tris was also put under the serum and she was forced to answer honestly. She was acquitted as well when they found out that she was in the Dauntless control room only to try to stop Four and the simulation itself.

The Simulation Serum is a drug used to induce simulations. It is used in Aptitude Tests and by Dauntless in the second stage of Dauntless Initiation. It was designed by Jeanine Matthews. The Aptitude is administered by drinking, and the Dauntless Initiation is administered by a shot.

The Peace Serum is a drug that is used by A mity in order to maintain peace in their factions. It was concocted by Erudite, like every other serum. The serum was first seen and administered in Insurgent to Tris Prior after being in a fight with Peter who tried to steal the hard drive containing the simulation program. However, the Amity that gave Tris the serum didn't take into account her height and weight, resulting in an overdose that placed Tris in a state of euphoria. The serum's effects can be seen immediately after administration. In small doses, it calms the mind and improves the mood of the person administered. The person may forget why he/she was angry in the first place. A feeling of calmness replaces the irateness of the administered. Dizziness is a common side-effect of the serum. Because the serum's dosage is linked to the person's height and weight, overdosage can be common had the aforementioned factors not be taken into consideration. In large doses, exaggerating effects can be evident. A euphoric and overly-elated feeling can be a common effect. The Peace Serum is apperantly baked inside the bread made by Amity to remain peace inside the faction.

The death serum is a substance used by Jeanine Matthew. When Tris surrendered herself for testing, Jeanine attempted to use it, but it was actually a different, non-lethal serum dyed purple. The real serum was in Peter's hands. It is also noted that strong Divergent characters can resist the death serum when Tris resists it in Allegiant. The Death Serum is considered the serum of Erudite, just as the Truth Serum is Candor's, etc. Tris resisted it by thinking about the people she loved and the ones who died for her.

Many reviews for the Divergent novels criticize the social structures creating the factions within the novel. For example, the Kirkus Review, when talking about the first novel, called the social structure a "preposterous premise."^[3] In a review for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's student newspaper "Royal Purple News," Abrielle Backhaus notes how the "entire system seems insubstantial" and asks rhetorically "How could it be possible for any individual, with his or her infinite emotions and experiences, to be condensed to one single quality to tolerate for the rest of their lives and to choose at the mere age of 16?"^[4]