Rihanna Is not the only girl to find love in a hopeless place

1119 Words3 Pages

The balance and natural order of the world is held in place by the powerful forces of love and evil. Many think evil is the most powerful, but others, believe the opposite. In Joelle Charbonneau’s novel, The Testing, the balance is shifted when Cia Vale and Tomas Endress’ love, overpowers all evil thrown at them by an inhumane government. The Testing is a series of brutal physical and mental challenges. These evil tests are not done for power nor riches, but for a mere chance at a university education. Through Charbonneau’s development of conflict, establishment of character and creation of varying atmospheres, the theme that love overpowers all evil, is exemplified.
To begin, the internal and external conflict developed in the novel, epitomizes the hardships faced by the characters. These conflicts are conquered through love. First, Cia’s constant battle against the government would push any relationship past destruction; however, every attempt to break them, only makes them stronger. At the start, Tomas is severely injured by a booby trap placed by the Testing committee. Tomas is the only candidate injured since this so called trap is in place to separate Cia and Tomas: a power duo. Rather than considering to abandon Tomas, Cia reflects, “[S]oon, Tomas won’t be able to travel. He won’t finish the test and neither will I since I could never leave knowing [Tomas] would most likely die out here injured and alone” (Charbonneau 72). Despite the government’s powerful effort to separate Cia and Tomas, Cia refuses to cooperate. Her reserve of love overpowers the government’s evil intentions. Next, the conflict that arises with a competitor, Will, is conquered by love. In the final metres to the finish, Tomas is shot at point-blank by...

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...il. Hence, the creation of atmosphere, develops the theme of love overcoming all evil.
In closing, the development of intense conflict, distinction of Cia’s character, and creation of varying atmospheres, all aid in the development that in the end, love always conquers evil. If Cia and Tomas faced their conflicts without love, Tomas would be dead. If Cia were not developed to be a smart, dynamic teenager, her actions would be passed off as stupid obsessions, rather than true love. Lastly, if the atmosphere had not been established, the meaning of love would have been lost. If love can prosper in a society where university admissions are based on the lives you take, why is the world full of so much hatred and violence? The power of genuine love should never be undermined by evil. The answer to problems should never revolve around evil, but true love and compassion.

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