Insurgent
Rated PG-13
/ Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Release
date: March 20, 2015
Stars:
Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Theo James, Jai Courtney, Mekhi Phifer, Miles
Teller…
**Some spoilers ahead**
Insurgent,
the second movie installment of the Divergent trilogy has now been released in
theaters. Ron and I went to see it this
past weekend. The movie was good – but I
definitely could have done without all the side conversations going on. It seemed like everyone wanted to jibber
jabber through the whole movie. I really
don’t understand why people even bother buying a movie ticket if they can’t sit
quietly and actually watch the movie! Ok, enough of my rant…now on with my
review.
The first installment of this series,
Divergent, was released in June 2014. I
watched Divergent prior to reading the books, and while I read A LOT, it was
the first movie that really made me want to read the book AFTER seeing the
movie. After watching Divergent I HAD to see how this book was written. As an
aspiring writer I was extremely curious on how what I had just seen was
translated from page to screen. I needed
to see how the author played this story out on page. I’m happy to say I was pleased with both
versions. I blogged about this last year
as well – you can read that entry here:
For those
not familiar with the Divergent series here’s a short summary. The series is a trilogy written by Veronica
Roth and includes Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant. There are also a few short stories you can
read in addition. The series follows
Beatrice “Tris” Prior (played by Shailene Woodley in the movies) who lives in a
dystopian Chicago. Everyone is divided
into factions based on particular virtues: Abnegation (the selfless), Amity
(the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), and Erudite (the
intelligent). Individuals must decide
which faction they will devote their life to at the Choosing Ceremony on their
16th birthday, after which they are put through a highly competitive
initiation process in order to remain in their chosen faction. Those that don’t pass their initiation into
their chosen factions become Factionless and live their life in poverty and
violence.
In Divergent
Tris surprises everyone when she chooses Dauntless (she grew up in Abnegation). The story continues to explore Tris’
transformation into the Dauntless world as she undergoes rigorous physical and
psychological tests…not to mention an attachment to her Dauntless leader, Four
(played by Theo James). While going
through this battery of tests Tris finds out that she is “divergent”, someone
who has elements of all the factions and is considered dangerous, so she must
keep this information secret.
Insurgent
continues the story with conflict between the factions. Tris and Four, along with a group of their
friends and associates, are on the run from the Erudite ruler (played
brilliantly by Kate Winslet) who wants to kill all of the divergents.
The movie is
different than the book – but of course I knew it would be. Hollywood has a habit of changing things when
making the transition from page to screen.
I’m not going to go into any detail on the differences between the book
and movie here. If you’re really
interested all you need to do is Google it.
Trust me there are many blogs and articles on this subject. I know because I Googled it. Instead I want to discuss what really
interests me about this series.
While
watching these movies and reading the books I couldn’t help but to wonder which
of the factions I would fit into…or which one I should fit into. Is it logical to think that society would
function better divided into self-contained factions, or would conflict still
arise amongst them? I think it would be
an issue. Just because people seem like
minded doesn’t mean that they will actually get along. In fact, many like-minded people actually do
not get along with each other at all.
And I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “opposites attract”. If we spent our time surrounded only by
people who were like us how fulfilling would our lives really be?
Segregation
has been done over and over and has really never been successful…no matter the
reason behind the segregating. In this
series the groups were put together based on their virtues. The assumption is that you should be in the
group that best suits your skills. But
can you really pick just one of these groups?
I’ve listed a description of them again below and have included each
factions manifesto as noted from http://www.divergentfans.com/page/faction-manifestos.
I know it’s a little lengthy…but I think this will give you a better picture of
what each faction is like.
Abnegation (The Selfless) – This faction values
the needs of other above the needs of oneself.
I will be
my undoing If I become my obsession.
I will
forget the ones I love If I do not serve them.
I will
war with others If I refuse to see them.
Therefore
I choose to turn away From my reflection, To rely not on myself But on my
brothers and sisters, To project always outward Until I disappear.*
(*Some
members add a final line: “And only God remains.” That is at the discretion of
each member, and is not compulsory.)
Erudite (The Intelligent) – This faction
values knowledge.
We submit the following statements as truth:
“Ignorance” is defined not as stupidity but as lack of knowledge.
Lack of knowledge inevitable leads to disconnect among people with differences.
Lack of understanding leads to a disconnect among people with differences. Disconnection
among people with differences leads to conflict. Knowledge is the only logical
solution to the problem of conflict. Therefore, we propose that in order to
eliminate conflict, we must eliminate the disconnect among those with
differences by correcting the lack of understanding that arises from ignorance
with knowledge. The areas in which people must be educated are:
1. Sociology
So that the individual understands how society at large functions.
2. Psychology
So that the individual understands how a person functions within
the society.
3. Mathematics
So that the individual is prepared for further study in science,
engineering, medicine, and technology.
4. Science
So that the individual better understands how the world operates.
So that the individual’s study in other areas is supplemented. So that as many
individuals as possible area prepared to enter the fields devoted to innovation
and progress
5. Communication
So that the individual knows how to speak and write clearly and
effectively.
6. History
So that the individual understands the mistakes and successes that
have led us to this point. So that the individual learns to emulate those
successes and avoid those mistakes. Leaders must not be chosen base on
charisma, popularity, or ease of communication, all of which are misleading and
have little to do with the efficiency of a political leader. An objective
standard must be used in order to determine who is best fit to lead. That
standard will be an intelligence test, administered to all adults when the
present leader reaches fifty-five or begins to decline is function in a
demonstrable way. Those who, after rigorous studying, do not meet a minimum
intelligence requirement will be exiled from the faction so they can be made
useful. This is not an act of elitism but rather one of practicality: Those who
are not intelligent enough to engage in the roles assigned to us— roles that
require a considerable mental capacity—are better suited to menial work than to
faction work. Menial work is required for the survival of society, and is
therefore just as important as faction work. Information must always be made
available to all faction members at all times. The withholding of information
is punishable by reprimand, imprisonment, and, eventually, exile. Every
question that can be answered must be answered or at least engaged. Illogical
thought processes must be challenged when they arise. Wrong answers must be
corrected. Correct answers must be affirmed. If an answer to a question is
unclear, it must be put to debate. All debates require evidence. Any
controversial thought or idea must be supplemented by evidence in order to
reduce the potential for conflict. Intelligence must be used for the benefit,
and not to the detriment, of society. Those who use intelligence for their own
personal gain or to the detriment of others have not properly borne the
responsibility of their gift, and are not welcome in our faction. It bears
repeating: Intelligence is a gift, not a right. It must not be wielded not as a
weapon but as a tool for the betterment of others.
Dauntless (The Brave) – This faction is made
up of brave, fearless individuals.
We believe that cowardice is to blame for the world’s injustices.
We believe that peace is hard-won, that sometimes it is necessary
to fight for peace. But more than that: We believe that justice is more
important than peace.
We believe in freedom from fear, in denying fear the power to
influence our decisions. We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage
that drives one person to stand up for another.
We believe in acknowledging fear and the extent to which it rules us.
We believe in facing that fear no matter what the cost to our comfort, our
happiness, or even our sanity.
We believe in shouting for those who can only whisper, in
defending those who cannot defend themselves.
We believe, not just in bold words but in bold deeds to match
them. We believe that pain and death are better than cowardice and inaction
because we believe in action.
We do not believe in living comfortable lives. We do not believe
that silence is useful.
We do not believe in good manners.
We do not believe in empty heads, empty mouths, or empty hands.
We do not believe that learning to master violence encourages
unnecessary violence.
We do not believe that we should be allowed to stand idly by. We
do not believe that any other virtue is more important than bravery.
Amity (The Peaceful) – This faction values peace and harmony above all else.
Conversations
of Peace
Trust
A son
says to his mother: “Mother, today I fought with my friend.”
His
Mother says: “Why did you fight with your friend?”
“Because
he demanded something of me, and I would not give it to him.”
“Why did
you not give it to him?”
“Because
it was mine.”
“My son,
you now have your possessions, but you do not have your friend. Which would you
rather have?”
“My
friend.”
“Then
give freely, trusting that you will also be given what you need.”
Self-Sufficiency
Daughter
says to her Father: “Father, today I fought with my friend.”
Her
Father says: “Why did you fight with your friend?”
“Because
she insulted me, and I was angry.”
“Why were
you angry?”
“Because
she lied about me” (In some versions: “Because I was hurt by her words.”)
“My
daughter, did your friend’s words change who you are?”
“No.”
“Then do
not be angry. The opinions of others cannot damage you.”
Forgiveness
A husband
says to his wife: “Wife, today I fought with my enemy.”
“His Wife
says: “Why did you fight with your enemy?”
“Because
I hate him.”
“My
husband, why do you hate him?”
“Because
he wronged me.”
“The
wrong is past. You must let it rest where it lies.”
Kindness
A Wife
says to her Husband: “Husband, today I fought with my enemy.”
Her
Husband says: “Why did you fight with your enemy?”
“Because
I spoke cruel words to her.”
“My wife,
why did you speak cruel words to her?”
“Because
I believed them to be true.”
“Then you
must no longer think cruel thoughts. Cruel thoughts lead to cruel words, and
hurt you as much as they hurt your target.”
(The
following section was part of the original manifesto, but was later removed.)
Involvement
One
friend says to Another: “Friend, today I fought with my enemy.”
The Other
Friend says: “Why did you fight with your enemy?”
“Because
they were about to hurt you.”
“Friend,
why did you defend me?”
“Because
I love you.”
“Then I
am grateful.”
Candor (The Honest) – This faction values honesty above all else.
Dishonesty Is Rampant.
Dishonesty Is Temporary.
Dishonesty Makes Evil Possible.
As it stands now, lies pervade society, families, and even the
internal life of the individual. One group lies to another group, parents lie
to children, children lie to parents, individuals lie to themselves. Dishonesty
has become so integral to the way we relate to one another that we rarely find
ourselves in authentic relationships with others. Our dark secrets remain our
own. Yet it is our secrets that cause conflict. When we are dishonest with the
people around us, we begin to hate ourselves for lying; when we are dishonest
with ourselves, we can never attempt to correct the flaws we find within us,
the flaws we are so desperate to hide from our loved ones, the flaws that make
us lie. What has become clear is that lies are just a temporary solution to a
permanent problem. Lying to spare a person’s feelings, even when the truth
would help them to improve, damages them in the long run. Lying to protect
yourself lasts for so long before the truth emerges. Like a wild animal, the
truth is too powerful to remain caged. These are examples we clearly see in our
own lives, yet we fail to understand that they do not just apply to the dynamic
between ourselves and our neighbors, or ourselves and our friends. What is
society but a web of individual-to-individual relationships? And what is
conflict except one person’s dark secret crashing into another person’s dark
secret? Dishonesty is a veil that shields one person from another. Dishonesty
allows evil to persist, hidden from eyes of those who would fight it.
Dishonesty Leads to Suspicion. Suspicion Leads to Conflict. Honesty Leads to
Peace. We have a vision of an honest world. In this world, parents do not lie
to their children, and children do not lie to their parents do not lie to their
parents; friends do not lie to one another; spouses do not lie to each other.
When we are asked our opinions we are free to give them without having to
consider any other responses. When we engage in conversation with others, we do
not have to evaluate their intentions, because they are transparent. We have no
suspicion, and no one suspects us. And most of all - yes, above all else - we
are free to expose our dark secrets because we know the dark secrets of our
neighbors, our friends, our spouses, our children, our parents, and our
enemies. We know that while we are flawed in a unique way, we are not unique
because we are flawed. Therefor we can be authentic. We have no suspicions. And
we are at peace with those around us. Truth ‘Makes ‘Us ‘Transparent. ‘Truth
Makes Us Strong. Truth Makes Us Inextricable We will raise our children to tell
the truth. We will do this by encouraging them to speak their minds at every
moment. For the child, withholding words is the same as lying. We will be
honest with our children even at the expense of their feelings. The only reason
people cannot bear honesty now is because they were not raised hearing the
truth about themselves, and they can’t stand to. If children are raised to hear
both honest praise and honest criticism, they will not be so fragile as to
crumble beneath the scrutiny of their peers. A life of truth makes us strong.
Adulthood will be defined as a time at which each member of society is capable
of bearing every other member’s dark secrets, just as every other member will be
subjected to The Full Unveiling in which every hidden part of their life is
laid bare before their fellow members. They, too, will see the hidden parts of
their fellow members’ lives. In this way we bear one another’s secrets. In this
way we become inextricable. Truth Makes Us Inextricable.
And then
there are the Factionless – This
group is made up of those that do not fit in any of the social classes listed
above. In this series it is described as being homeless and most that are factionless
suffer in many ways because they do not have the same resources as the other
factions.
If you were
in Veronica Roth’s Divergent world where do you think you would best fit
in? Would you fit in just one of these
factions, or do you have traits of more than one, or all?
If you want
to dive in further to this world here are just a few links to get you started
on your journey. I find it fascinating. The books, and the movies so far, have been
very entertaining, and have lots of ideals that run parallel to the real world.
