How Difficult It Is to Be Different: A Marxist View on Divergent

Abstract

This essay explores the application of Marxist literary theory to the book of Divergent by Veronica Roth. Divergent is the first book of a trilogy. Marxism is named after the German philosopher Karl Marx. The story takes place in a dystopian future within a post-apocalyptical world and the people have been split into five factions. It is interesting to explore how Marxism can apply to the book. Many of the terms that are associated with Marxism are applicable to Divergent. I use examples from Divergent that are the most fitting. Furthermore, I examine both the hero, Beatris Prior, and the villain, Jeanine Matthews, in the story, separately and try to view them from a Marxist viewpoint. I did not only analyze the hero and the villain. I also took some of the factions within the story and I applied Marxist theory to them. For instance, both Dauntless and Abnegation were examined, while the other factions were mentioned. While reading the book for recreation, it is easy to miss something that can help explain the behavior of Beatris or Jeanine. When both Jeanine and Beatris are examined from a Marxist viewpoint, it is obvious that they are more complex than at first glance. I do not only use the Divergent book as a point of reference. I also use other source materials in order to explain the Marxist terms along with more information that is relevant to the essay. The object of this essay was, in some way, to learn something new. Anyone can read a book and then summarize what the book is about, a girl that is different from what is considered normal and has to fight for her life. However, it is only by taking a closer look at the book that the complexities behind it are revealed.