Divergent Book Discussion (8)

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Hey, people from Earth and other people who are not from here, for the next 13 weeks we will be giving you the awesomeness that is DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth.  Be sure to show up, because we are giving away some goodies, check it out HERE. Just a side note, I will be asking a question after each discussion post.  Be sure to follow the discussion and don’t be scared to join in on our discussion/ questions. Those who entered the contest will receive extra entries for answering a question.  Every week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we will discuss three chapters per week: tell you about the plot, and other random bits of spicy goodness that you should definitely know about (all relating to Divergent).    Just for your curiosity: helping me out with this discussion is Jackie, one of my best friends (please say hello to her).  Basically these posts will be categorized by person.  Jackie hasn't read the book so be sure to read her first impressions while she reads along and if you have read Divergent, be sure to read my input (this will be the my second read through).  If you missed a post and want to check out the schedule, go HERE.  Come and join us in our quest of discussing DIVERGENT.

CHAPTER 8
Today, initiates had their first day of learning to use a gun and how to punch.  Tris wasn't very good at any of them but she'll get the hang of it soon enough.  After six are free hours and Al decides the use the time to get a tattoo.  After Christina gives Tris a makeover, they meet up with Al and Will in the tattoo palor.  Tris decides to get three birds to signify the family she has left behind.

Today's Topics:
Bird Tattoo and Tris's Makeover





The obvious significance is that the three birds represent her mother, father, and brother. Since they are flying toward her heart, the reader can assume that she misses all of them dearly. In addition to this though, the birds and tattoo itself represent the freedom that she is gaining from leaving Abnegation. Birds = Flying. Flying is one of the most freeing feelings in the world. Even with swinging on swings, one can feel the wind blowing through their hair, and feel free. Though swinging is not the same as flying, the wind has the same freeing feeling. In a way too, the tattoo represents the fact that she will return to her family at one point. Birds fly away during the winter, but return to their previous home during the spring. So is the tattoo foreshadowing that she will return to her family at some point? Maybe! 

Thank God Christina got Tris out of the dull, oversized Abnegation clothing. The restraint that the Abnegation have on selflessness is too much for me. Tris probably hasn’t even worn a dress before Christina made her buy one. Coming from a person who doesn’t like dresses, that is still ridiculous. Tris also looks in the mirror, which she tries not to do too much because her Abnegation side still is a large part of her. She must love the fact that she can actually look in a mirror without breaking any rules. I would if I was just given that freedom…but would that make me…Mirror Girl?! (Mirror Girl is a friend of Gina and I). One other interesting thing is Tris calls herself noticeable rather than pretty. If Abnegation aren’t allowed to look into the mirror at all, then how do they form a definition for what they define as“beautiful’ or “pretty?” I mean if they can’t be selfish at all and be into how they look, then how is this concept formed for them? Or if the Abnegation do have a definition for “beauty,” then why does Tris not fit into those standards?
Future Jackie appears again: I mean I know Four like Tris for her personality, but he must also have noticed her for her looks, so isn’t she “pretty” or “beautiful” to him?





I love the tattoo Tris decides to get.  Jackie summed up the symbolism pretty well.  All I really have to say on it is that the UK cover of Divergent has the three birds in flight.  I do not much care for the cover but I love that they put her tattoo on the cover.  Tris is not only accepting Abnegation but she is getting a permanent mark on her about her family, something that she will never lose.

Yeah, Christina gives Tris a total makeover.  As much as I love that Tris is able to let go and get these clothes is a great step for her but, be reasonable.  When is she ever going to wear that dress?  I think Christina should have put her in some jeans and a colorful t-shirt or something and Tris still would be set.  Also, Jackie does have a point, which brings about the question for the day.  I don't have an answer to the whole "pretty" or "noticable" because Christina seems to be the type of girl who tells it how it is.





How does Abnegation set their "pretty" and "noticeable" standards or are we suffering from a unreliable narrator who has self-esteem issues?

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