Inside the Test and Significance of Mirrors

I think it sucks that the kids taking the test don’t know anything more about it than that they get sorted into factions. I would kind of want to know more about it, or at least be able to ask someone else (like her brother) how they did on the test. But whatever. When Beatrice didn’t use the knife or food, I thought that was kind of brave, so an attribute of Dauntless? But, when it came to the test with the guy asking Beatrice if she knew someone (and she proceeded to lie) I knew she definitely wasn’t Candor and NOT Abnegation. I mean seriously, she was being selfish for not helping the guy out, and she comes from freaking Abnegation faction, WHAT A BRAT! She is so not getting into Abnegation. 

When Beatrice was in the testing room and surrounded by mirrors, was that a test to see if she was supposed to be Abnegation? Because as Abnegation, they aren’t supposed to look into mirrors, so was this whole testing center (with lots of mirrors) designed as an additional test to see who would truly pass for Abnegation? Do the mirrors also serve as a foreshadowing of the test to come? Because mirrors can be seen as a gateway to another universe and the test makes the participator transport to another world. …Or am I thinking way too much into this? Maybe I am…oh well!

I love the test!  It is filled with random things and I think the first time I read this book, I couldn't believe how random the entire test was.  You have to choose between cheese and a knife.  At the time, it didn't make sense at all.  However, now I understand.  I love that Beatrice was so stubborn as to not reach for any of the choices.  (Oh, and I think this is the first time you get to hear her name.  It shows how selfless she has been, supposedly, up til this point.)  Why was the food cheese?  I know most dogs will eat anything but why cheese?  Why can't it have been dog food or a bone?  Picking the knife up would have probably shown Dauntless, whereas the cheese would be almost everyone else (since I think Beatrice was being too stubborn.  I think most people actually choose one or the other).  Then there was the dog attack, which is most definitely an Abnegation thing to do.  Then the bus.  If I was Beatrice, I would have just ignored the man.  He was getting into her space and she didn't really have to say anything.  However, we learned that she is mostly not Candor since she definitely lied.  I would love to hear more about other people's tests though.  Who wants a snippet of Caleb's choices?

  

What choices would you make during the test (cheese or knife, honesty or lie, rescue or abandon)?