Summary
In the world ofDivergent, there are five factions in which everyDivergentcast memberis sorted, Dauntless, Erudite, Abnegation, Amity, or Candor, and each of them not only has a specific role in society but also very clear defining traits. These factions are the core of Veronica Roth’s 2014 book and thethreeDivergentmoviesthat came along afterward. Similar to theHogwarts houses ofHarry Potter,Divergent’sfactions help define who each character is and introduce unique social dynamics. Namely, Tris' choice to join Dauntless, the most dangerous faction, proves her bravery but isolates her from the world.
The five factions are integral toDivergent. The story doesn’t really begin until Tris completes her Aptitude Test, which is supposed to reveal which faction is best for her, but instead, offers inconclusive results that mark her as Divergent. Later, at the Choosing Ceremony, when Tris chooses Dauntless, that is when her tale is truly jump-started. Tris' induction into Dauntless leads her to face her fears and realize what is going on beyond the strict rules of her faction-based society. But it is nearly impossible to truly understand the story without understandingwhichDivergentfaction is which.
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Dauntless
The brave faction
A faction at the core ofDivergentis Dauntless.Dauntless values bravery above all else. Members of Dauntless act as soldiers for thecity and are dedicated to standing up for others. Despite this morally upstanding belief, Dauntless is a risky faction to join. The Dauntless constantly put themselves into dangerous situations such as jumping on and off trains to enter or leave their base. Tris also experiences some close calls while training in Dauntless, such as having to physically fight her fellow initiates and standing in front of a target while knives are thrown at her.
To get sorted into Dauntless, a person must show signs of bravery. Tris does this during her Aptitude Test when she attempts to save a little girl from a vicious dog. Even choosing Dauntless was a sign of bravery for Tris, who could have returned to her home faction. Other characters in Dauntless alongside Tris include Christina, Peter, Four, and Eric. Dauntless are best known for their black clothing, tattoos, and piercings.Tris assimilates with the Dauntless by getting a tattoo of three birds to represent her family, and later, becoming one of the impressive individuals with only six fears.
Erudite
The intelligent faction
Erudite is a faction concerned with intelligence and curiosity. Theirjob withinDivergent’ssociety is to increase their knowledge. Therefore, Erudite are always seen reading books or consuming information through the computer. Erudite also produces the smartest individuals in society, including doctors, engineers, and teachers. In theDivergentseries, it is revealed that theErudite are the main drivers of the faction-based society. They believed that a lack of knowledge led to war, so they decided to create the factions.
Ultimately, the Erudite become greedy with their knowledge, and their leader, Jeanine Matthews, becomes a major villain of the franchise.
For an individual to get sorted into Erudite, they must show signs of particular wisdom. During Tris' Aptitude Test, she proves her own intelligence by refusing to choose the knife or the cheese, and furthermore, by submitting to the aggressive dog. Tris’s brother, Caleb, chooses to join Erudite, along with characters like Cara, Elia, and Jeanine. Members ofErudite typically wear blue, along with glasses and practical, business-casual clothing.
Abnegation
The selfless faction
The faction Tris comes from is Abnegation.Abnegation puts selflessness above everything else, sometimes to such an extent that they are left vulnerable. WithinDivergent’ssociety, Abnegation typically act as political leaders and social workers. Due to their focus on the public good, they are well-suited to run the city. Furthermore, they always act in the interest of others, therefore they will help anyone in need, especially the factionless. Though Abnegation have good intentions, their beliefs can leave them with blind spots, which is what allows the Erudite and Dauntless to rise and take power from them inDivergent.
While Tris' choice to protect the little girl from the dog during her Aptitude Test labels her as Dauntless, it is alsoa trait of Abnegation to put yourself in harm’s way to save someone else. This also comes into play during the simulation of the man on the bus. When the man announces that telling the truth will save him, an Abnegation individual would then come clean.Both Tris and Caleb originally came from Abnegation, along with their parents, Marcus Eaton, and Susan Black. Abnegation wear gray robes with no adornments, and their hair pulled back.
In Divergent, Abengation are often cruelly nicknamed, “Stiffs.”
Amity
The kind faction
The faction which values kindness and peace is Amity. Members of Amity are responsible for all the farming done forDivergent’sdystopian city. Due to their belief in peace and harmony, Amity has no particular leader, however a woman named Johanna Reyes acts as their representative. Although Amity does not play a significant role inDivergent,the second installment,Insurgent,sees Tris, Four and their allies hide among Amity. While there,they discover the Peace Serum, which Amity uses to keep their members happy and malleable. Amity maintains a strong alliance with Erudite and a rivalry with Candor.
Amity is one of the few factions that Tris does not test positively for during her Aptitude Test. Typically, an individual sorted intoAmity would take the cheese offered at the beginning of the simulationand try to feed it to the violent dog. Some members of Amity include Robert Black, Johanna Reyes, and Gregory Zellner. Those who are Amity usually wear bright-colored, comfortable clothing, with their main colors being yellow and red.
Candor
The honest faction
The final faction inDivergentsociety is Candor. Individuals sorted into Candor are most concerned with honesty and the truth. Therefore, those in Candor make useful lawyers, politicians, and law enforcement. Like Amity, Candor doesn’t play a massive part in the firstDivergentbook and movie, however, the faction comes into play later as an authority figure.Candoruses a truth serum to condemn Tris and Tobias inInsurgent. Furthermore, Candor is explored a bit via characters who transferred from Candor to Dauntless, such as Christina and Peter.
Candor’s pursuit of truth can make them both trustworthy and abrasive.
The true test of a Candor comes in the final segment of the Aptitude Test in which a character is put on a bus with a man who holds a newspaper with a picture of a murderer on it. Though the testee recognizes the murderer and feels that it would be bad to tell the man who the murderer is,a true Candor would tell the truth regardless. Members of Candor include Jack Kang and Niles. Those in Candorwear black and white, and like Erudite, prefer more formal, business-casual attire.
What It Means To Be Factionless In Divergent
Those who have no faction
AlthoughDivergentis predicated on five factions within society, there is a sixth group of individuals: the factionless. These people have no faction to be a part of, and therefore, are homeless and lacking rights. Factionless people often have to complete the lowest-paying and most physically demanding jobs in the city. They do not get paid with money but with food and clothing. Though the factions are a significant part of life inDivergent,the factionless actually make up a very large part of the population.
Ultimately, a person may become factionless because they do not pass the initiation of their chosen faction. Others may choose to become factionless because they don’t agree with the morals or ideas held by a specific faction. In many ways, being factionless is a form of rebellion inDivergent.Some factionless characters include Drew, Myra, Molly Atwood, and Edgar. The factionless are a perfect representation of how the factions ultimately failedDivergentsociety.
