Veronica Roth's Divergent Symbolism

“Faction before blood,” is the motto of the post apocalyptic, Chicago society in the dystopian novel Divergent, written by Veronica Roth. The Prior family lives in a world where, at 16, they choose how they’re going to live the rest of their life. Beatrice Prior had to make that decision. Would she stay in her born faction and make her parents proud or become a transfer and a traitor to Abnegation? In the novel Divergent all types of symbolism appear, among the most important in meaning are the ravens, the train, and the guns. The first and one of the most important symbols to appear in the novel Divergent are the ravens. Tris is inked with three ravens on her collarbone, which she explains in the novel as "a reminder of where I was...a way to honor my old life." The birds represent each of the family she leaves behind when she chooses to join the Dauntless. Her mother, father, and brother. They represent the past and not the kind you want to leave behind. The ravens in her fear landscape represent control or in this case the lack thereof. It is about controlling herself and learning how to take over a situation. “He was right; it isn’t about the birds. It’s about control.”

This object depicts bravery. “And as the last few cars pass, a mass exodus of young men and women in dark clothing hurl themselves from the moving cars, some dropping and rolling, others stumbling a few steps before regaining their balance.” The dauntless are brave and fearless as they “hurl themselves from the moving cars.” They represent ruthlessness and show no sign of fear. “This time I am ready for the momentum the train gives me, and I run a few steps to defuse it but keep my balance. Fierce pleasure courses through me and I smile. It’s a small accomplishment, but it makes me feel Dauntless.” They love the adrenaline that courses through them as the jump to and from the train showing that they are truly