DIVERGENT EXPOSES CONTRADICTIONS IN A UTOPIAN SOCIETY
Based on the novel by Veronica Roth, the film Divergent takes place in a Chicago a century after a war that has devastated the planet and made life possible only in small self-contained communities. To maintain order, the population is divided into six groups—intellectuals (Erudite), police (Undaunted), government executive and legislative officials (Abnegation), judiciary (Candor), farmers (Amity), and the homeless who belong to none of the five groups. Families within each group cultivate their offspring to remain within their group. At the age of sixteen, they are given an aptitude test to determine to which group they are most suited, though they can choose to join another group. Those with aptitude for two or more groups, called “divergent,” are considered a threat to the peaceful order, so any discovery of their existence could result in execution or homelessness. When the film begins, Tris (played by Shaileen Woodley) takes the test and learns that she has aptitude for three groups. She joins the Undaunted caste and in most of the film undergoes strict physical and mental training, although strangely without weightlifting to produce strength. But she soon learns from a boyfriend (Theo James) of a planned coup to have Undaunted arrest leaders of the ruling Abnegation caste so that the Erudites can seize power. Neil Burger directs the film to a contradictory ending. MH