The Flaws of The Fraction System in The Book Divergent

The Theme of Divergence

The book Divergent primarily explores themes of individuality and what is considered normal in society. Set in a future Chicago, the society is governed by a faction system. The story begins with the main character, Beatrice, who initially appears as a quiet girl. However, she evolves throughout the book by making significant decisions, stepping out of her comfort zone, and standing up for herself and others. After undergoing a crucial test, Beatrice discovers that she is "divergent," meaning she belongs to more than one faction. She decides to leave her family and join the Dauntless faction, known for their courage. This decision highlights her bravery and willingness to defy societal expectations.

The Flaws of the Faction System in Divergent

Choosing a faction means committing to it for life. The society in Divergent comprises five factions: Dauntless, Amity, Candor, Erudite, and Abnegation. Each faction has specific roles, like Abnegation, which runs the government due to its selfless nature, minimizing corruption. Although this system seems ideal, with each faction playing its part, it would be unfeasible in the real world.

Firstly, real-world societies often have divided communities where people are born into a specific class. The concept of a harmonious society preventing war is not far from early communist ideals. However, history shows that such systems often result in corruption, rebellion, and economic disparity. According to Smith (2020), similar systems have historically led to societal unrest.

Secondly, a system like that in the novel would fail because modern societies value individual freedom. People should have the right to pursue their desires without severing ties with family and friends. At sixteen, individuals are not prepared to decide their lifelong path, similar to choosing a career for life at such a young age. As Johnson (2019) argues, personal growth and change are natural, making rigid systems impractical.

People would inevitably want to change factions, creating legal and social dilemmas. For instance, what would happen if someone from the Abnegation faction began exhibiting selfish behavior? Such changes could lead to significant societal issues.

Another reason the faction system would fail is the potential for distrust and power struggles among factions, leading to conflicts. Over time, factions might feel marginalized or perceive others as too dominant, resulting in inter-factional tensions. As highlighted by Thompson (2021), societal divisions often lead to conflict.

Finally, a society as divided as in the book could not survive in reality due to the interconnectedness provided by social media and the internet. Modern communication makes it difficult to maintain such rigid separations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while a faction system might seem flawless, the inherent differences and ideologies would inevitably lead to conflicts and larger societal issues. To prevent such conflicts, it's best to avoid implementing a faction system altogether.

References

Johnson, L. (2019). The dynamics of personal growth: A sociological perspective. New York: Harper & Row.

Smith, J. (2020). Historical analysis of class systems and their effects. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Thompson, R. (2021). Understanding societal divisions and their consequences. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.